Live music win for Council in Petersham RSL redevelopment
Friday, 14 June 2019
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has welcomed a State Government planning panel’s decision to drop restrictive conditions that would have limited live music and trading hours for the newly built Petersham RSL, calling it a win for live music.
Inner West Councillors unanimously supported a submission proposed by Mayor Byrne insisting on live music being allowed to continue at the venue and that existing trading hours be maintained when new club is built, as part of a long-awaited redevelopment.
“We are determined to stand up for longstanding venues like Petersham RSL against planning decisions that take away their right to host live music,” said Mayor Byrne.
“The proposal to ban or limit live music in the new RSL premises because of adjoining residential development was a case study in how live music has been killed off in this city.
“Petersham RSL has been one of the great entertainment venues in the Inner West for many years.
“This redevelopment was first mooted as a way to secure the financial future of Club. So it was very worrying that the potential remedy to its woes could have killed off an essential element of its entertainment offering, resulting in the Club’s demise,” said Mayor Byrne.
Council recently established a ground-breaking Good Neighbour policy requiring all noise and amenity complaints about pubs, clubs and small bars to be mitigated not litigated.
Under the new policy, Council officers will be required to convene a meeting with complainants and venue operators to discuss solutions rather than immediately launching compliance or legal action when complaints are received.
“This new rules sends a clear message to the community that if you live next door to a longstanding venue you should be prepared to be a good neighbour.
“Council believes the amenity of residents above the Club can be adequately protected by requiring developers to install the highest standard of noise insulation, which will allow live music to continue on the premises,” said Mayor Byrne.
For more information, call John Roper on (02) 9393 5914.