City of Mandurah CEO Mark Newman has hit back at the controversy caused over The Bridge Garden Bar and Restaurant’s recent environmental noise level infringement, as local musicians and small business owners argue harsh penalties are killing Mandurah’s live music scene.
Mr Newman said the issue of balancing the cultural events of the city centre with residential development had been on the council’s agenda since 2011.
He also said residential properties in the centre of Mandurah have been fitted with soundproofing.
“Since 2011 the potential noise impacts of the mix of licensed venues and residential premises has been identified within Mandurah’s city centre,” he said.
“The approach to manage this issue involves two elements, one being that residential premises within the city centre provide additional noise attenuation to properties, which has been the case, and the second part being to recognise that licensed venues need to control noise at the source to levels that allow reasonable amenity internal to nearby homes.
“Any concerns raised by residents are investigated by City Officers which includes noise level monitoring and communication with the venue owners to ensure they are aware of noise level restrictions and conditions that are applied to their premises.
“Venue owners are also provided with reasonable time to address the issue. The City has been in regular contact with business proprietors advising them of these requirements.”
Mr Newman said the council had been working with businesses in the area since 2013 – when the State Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 bill was amended – to ensure they were well aware of the law, and understood what would be seen as breaching environmental noise levels.
“All venues within central Mandurah are required to comply with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, irrespective of the town planning zoning.
“The maximum permitted noise levels are calculated on the proximity to other noise sources such busy roads, commercial areas and time of day.”
Mr Newman’s claim the Cut regularly confers with businesses over noise level restrictions contradicts the claims of The Bridge Garden Bar and Restaraunt’s owner/manager Jayson Blanas, who said apart from a first warning, they had not been informed of what allegedly is multiple complaints against the business.
Instead, Mr Blanas said he received an infringement, with threats of increasing fines, before any further warning was given.
Mr Newman said he recognised the challenges facing Mandurah in “protecting the health and wellbeing of residents within the area” while also supporting business who “choose” to have amplified music, live entertainment and DJs on premises.
But Regional Development Australia Peel president John Lambrecht countered this claim, stating live entertainment is more a necessity than a choice for many venues.
“Mandurah’s not a really big place and there’s been this idea that everything shuts at 10, but there are those trying to change that,” he said.
“These businesses, they’re not hosting live entertainment because they just want to, they do it because that’s how you get people into your business. Some of these places rely on these events.”
