The future of the city’s live music scene has taken a positive step with Newcastle City Council’s release of their sweeping plan to “breathe new life and colour into Newcastle’s night-time hospitality and cultural scene”.
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Included in the Newcastle After Dark Strategy, which is now on public exhibition until May 14, are a live music task force, an even-handed noise management policy and details on how council plans to grow the city’s $1.36 billion night time economy.
Keeping the safety of patrons in mind, as well as support for those operating within the industry, council’s management strategy proposes a series of initiatives that will “support greater diversity of night-time venues” as well as push for a “safe, vibrant and creative public culture” in Newcastle’s nightlife.
“We want the City of Newcastle to have a thriving and diverse night time economy, with high quality facilities, amenity and local services for everyone,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“A well-planned city night-time economy has a central role to play in city centre revitalisation, as well as a major influence over the visitor and cultural economies of the city and the region.
“Our night time economy is equally a place of work and productivity, directly employing over twelve thousand Novocastrians and accounting for 5.4 per cent of the total Newcastle economy, so it's imperative that we do all we can to ensure our city thrives safely after dark.”
The council’s now-available plans also include the possibility that responsibility for including after-hours noise controls would fall to city developers who build next to live music venues.
The council’s proposal, which also prioritised preventing antisocial behaviour as a result of irresponsible alcohol consumption, included a plan to see developers address noise management in new buildings near live music venues.
Similar responsibilities would also be placed on established venues, with expectations they would seek noise control modifications if they planned to begin hosting live music events.
This “agent of change” measure has been implemented in other cities, council said, to prevent potential noise disputes between venues and residents.
“When new apartments are built next to an existing music venue, they would be responsible for noise attenuation, such as by installing double glazing,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes explained.
“Likewise, if a live music venue seeks to extend its trading hours later at night or opens a beer garden, then it would be responsible for noise issues.”
The 48-page strategy details six priorities and 10 programs of action to:
- Prevent and mitigate the harmful and anti-social impacts of irresponsible consumption of alcohol
- Encourage a sustainable, safe and diverse night-time economy
- Design urban areas to facilitate safe, attractive and engaging night-time spaces
- Encourage diverse cultural activities
- Regulate and plan to enable and support the overall vision
- Research and evaluate programs implemented
Council is calling for comments and suggestions as they shape the future of Newcastle’s night-life, and all who are interested in ‘having your say’ can access contact details and the document at newcastleyoursay.com.au/after-dark-strategy.
Isaac McIntyre
Got a story or a tip that you want to send through? Contact me at isaac.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Got a story or a tip that you want to send through? Contact me at isaac.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
