Concerts, cultural and entertainment type events held in the City add vibrancy, provide commercial opportunities to local businesses and are a source of entertainment to local residents.
Some events may result in excessive noise emissions. Where an event is likely to create excessive noise, an application for approval for a non-complying event may be required under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.
In cases where an approval for a non-complying event is provided, the level of noise that is considered by the City to be reasonable, will be stipulated to the event organiser. These levels are required to be met without exception and monitoring of the event is carried out to ensure that they are. Residents that are likely to be affected by noise, will be informed of the event by the organiser. A dedicated complaint’s phone line is also required to be provided by the organiser for the duration of the event, so that noise issues can be addressed as they occur.
Under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, noise from some community activities are exempt from the requirement for meeting the normal allowable noise levels. Exempt noise can include children in school playgrounds, noise from fairs and fetes, crowds at sporting events, church services and community concerts and events.
The City can still take action on exempt noise, if it considers that the noise impacts are excessive.