Adelaide Council To Monitor And Restrict Festival Sound Levels

Major music events and festivals staged in Adelaide will face the prospect of mandatory sound monitors to aid in restricting noise levels following a council vote on Tuesday night.

According to local paper Adelaide Now, the city's councillors voted last night to “impose special monitors on 'high-risk' festivals, music concerts or other events” found to be in breach of existing noise-pollution legislation.

The so-called “sound pressure level limiters” will cut power to an event should its volume exceed “a certain level”, the paper reported. City councillor David Plumridge was enthusiastic about the change, labelling it another “weapon” up council's sleeve to regulate festival noise.

Volume control is an area the SA capital seems to take pretty seriously; the renowned punk-and-metal showcase Soundwave was recently forced to forfeit a $10,000 bond for its use of the city's Bonython Park venue after it was found to have breached noise levels.

According to Adelaide Now, Cr Plumridge had previously made a call to increase the bond to $40,000, which was knocked back; bonds will now cost just $5000.

Despite the setback, Soundwave will return to Adelaide next year for two days from February 21-22.

More information and frequently asked questions regarding Adelaide city's noise policies can be found at the council's website.