This article our CEO wrote for Big Rigs
MY MUSIC career came to a sudden and abrupt end in form one (now Year 7) when a rather frustrated music teacher decided that my in-class commentary on his music choices was not helpful and that I should find another class.
Surprised as I was that he failed to appreciate my insightful comments, I agreed to terminate my “blossoming” music career and find another class. History lesson over, on to the point of my article – why we need to look to the music industry for answers.
The trend in Australia driven by Governments is to stop the urban sprawl and re-populate the inner city areas.
People are moving into the city to enjoy the vibrant life style, great for them BAD news for the music industry
Unfortunately as more people move into the city to enjoy its vibrant lifestyle so does the number of complaints. They don’t like noise, so much so that in the UK it almost effectively destroyed the live music industry.Up until now, these complaints caused big problems for music venue owners, because planning principles were not on their side. The onus was on them to ensure their neighbours weren’t disturbed by music and loud noises. But putting in proper soundproofing or keeping customers quiet can be difficult and expensive.
In response the UK Parliament is considering legislation called the Agent of Change. What this legislation means is that it puts the burden of noise reduction firmly on the developer who is making the change. That change can be residential development or any other purpose.
Most of you will have already picked up where I am going with this because it sounds so familiar to our industry.
It should because right across Australia our logistics and transport facilities and operations are being undermined by inappropriate property development. As property developments are undertaken they creep ever closer to our ports, airports, industrial areas and transport yards. People who buy these developments then begin to complain about noise, light, 24 hour activity etc. And the unfortunate result is that we as an industry are forced to change to meet their complaints. These changes can be expensive to the industry with companies being forced to pay for noise reduction, such as double glazing of complaining resident’s windows. Or it could be reduced activity at night effecting operational efficiency etc, Even in Perth city, people are now complaining about the noise from garbage trucks collecting their bins at night. The alternative is the garbage trucks go back on the road during the day when city streets are at their most congested.
Under the Agent of Change legislation, it will be up to the property developer to pay for noise reduction costs. Because they are the Agent of Change. We need to look seriously at putting this same legislation into place in Western Australia. To protect our logistics infrastructure and businesses.
Follow Us
