Valley Music Harmony Plan
Fortitude Valley (the Valley) is one of Brisbane’s most popular and dynamic entertainment hubs. The Valley is legendary for its unique and vibrant atmosphere, and its thriving live music, nightclub and arts scenes.
The Valley is also home to a wide range of other uses including restaurants, cafes, retail businesses and residential development.
This convergence of different land uses contributes to the Valley’s diverse mixed-use community, but it has also created some conflict between the competing needs of each group.
Noise associated with entertainment venues is one of the key issues of dispute between residents, venues and other businesses.
In December 2004, Brisbane City Council released the Valley Music Harmony Plan, which outlines Council’s strategy for managing conflict between these different groups. The Plan was developed after two years of research and consultation with music industry, entertainment venue, retail business, development industry, state government and residential representatives.
The Valley Music Harmony Plan contains five actions, which deliver the Plan’s policy aims:
- To manage the impacts of music noise upon residents and businesses without compromising the viability of the music based entertainment industry in the Valley or the vibrancy of the Valley.
- Promote and enhance the Valley as a valuable incubator for original live music of all types and styles.
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One of the first steps taken by Council in implementing the Valley Music Harmony Plan has been the creation of the Valley Special Entertainment Precinct, which places the onus on new development to incorporate a high standard of noise insulation and enables uniform noise emission levels for music venues.
The Plan also identifies the need for a communication strategy to make potential residents aware of the Valley’s entertainment values, before they move to the Valley.
The Valley Music Harmony Plan acknowledges that residents in the Valley will experience higher noise levels than in other areas of the city. At the same time, it also makes it clear that amplified music venues have an obligation to manage their noise.