Previous to these, my brother got noise control sitting on the sunny deck of his newly completed house talking -- no music, just talking. There may have been a smattering of laughter. Seems to come hand in hand with good convo though, no?
Previous again, the Lucky Bar pretty much became unusable as people living on top of the hill didn't appreciate the "chatter" floating across the river.
So, dear council/councillors, my questions are:
You state dB levels of varying degrees for residential/industrial/commercial zones --so why don't you carry reliable dB (decibel) meters and employ them? Does "discretion" include miraculous dB guesstimates by security guards?
More importantly, the dB levels for industrial/commercial zones are insanely low. Pretty much, if I sneeze out my window, I'm creating "excessive noise". Is the 65dB limit too low? Considering that it is regarded as a standard conversation at a small distance -- how does one nurture creative industries, including music and performance?
I live across the river from the raceway and the sound of revving engines skips across the river and becomes rather irritating. I wouldn't call noise control, as I respect the rights of other people to enjoy their souped-up cars going in circles. However, if I were less diplomatic, would it be within my rights to call noise control? And if not, what is the discretionary difference between say, a music performance and a motor sport performance? Does council deem one more worthy than the other? Is there a special licence one needs to make noise?
Discretion is a term used a lot in the noise control policy. Professional discretion to be exact. Are noise control officers versed or trained in any way to be able to fairly and knowledgeably apply that discretion? Is there consistency in their decisions, and does each different officer have consistency with the last?
Was it good use of discretion to shut down the ukulele players at the Christmas market (a once-yearly event)?
If I were to move residence to, say, above Stellar Bar, and call noise control, would I be within my rights to do so? Or would common sense prevail? The question being, is there any provision in the act to address examples such as this? Or could one person, continually calling noise control shut down an inner-city bar or venue?
Currently, one person complaining is enough to shut down a venue or event of say 200 people. Is there any greater good considered in the noise control legislation? Would it be a fair common ground to insist on more than one person's whim? By this I mean if you received three complaints from various neighbours around said noise you would know it was genuinely causing a menace to the neighbourhood. This is opposed to the current state, which is, potentially, one sad and intolerant person infringing on a community event or function.
If people cannot make any noise in town -- the commercial, outer commercial and industrial zones -- where do you suggest it happens? Certainly it's much more preferable than residential?
I was interviewed by a member of the "inner-city rejuvenation" taskforce council hired last year. He stated that inner-city venues and community gathering points (like Space Monster, hah) epitomise the start of the process, followed by people moving into the city centre -- creating vibrancy and life -- thus removing some of the "ghost town" ethos. How will council achieve this inner-city revival if all evidence of life has been hushed? My question is do noise makers, be it businesses, bands, parades, glass studios, print workshops, or a capella groups have ANY rights to make ANY noise, EVER?
