EXCLUSIVE: Popular Melbourne Live Music Venue’s Future At Risk Due To New Developments

The future of Melbourne's popular Howler bar is at serious risk due to a proposed development of new apartments directly next door to the venue.

The proposed plans, taking place from 8-14 Michael Street in Brunswick, identify the Howler as a "former wool store" rather than a live music venue and one of the biggest issues is that some apartments of the eight-storey building will back on to the rear of the bandroom stage; a massive red flag for noise complaints.

update: Federal MP Hits Out Against Proposed Developments Putting Howler In Danger

In its four years of operation, the Howler has played host to a number of huge local and international acts including Courtney Barnett, DMA'S, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Anderson .Paak.

Proposed developments (Howler in bottom right hand corner)

Though the Agent Of Change principle does apply to Howler (which protects live music venues from noise complaints by new residential developments), venue director Brendan Brogan tells The Music he is concerned by the scale of the proposed developments.

"We find it strange that, as one of Melbourne's premier live music venues, the developers did not contact us during the design process," Brogan says.

"Any onsite investigation would have shown that they are proposing bedrooms directly abutting the rear of stage. 

"How do they expect to sound attenuate a bedroom that backs on to a stage? Under the Agent of Change law they are responsible to do this sound attenuation."

Brogan is adamant that the venue will push against the developments. 

"We need public support and council pressure to make sure that the developers build a design that allows people to live near live music venues without threatening live music's place in society."

Meanwhile, Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan expects there to be a significant amount of support behind Howler in relation to the proposed developments.

"Live music venues in Victoria are the life blood of the music industry and since 2010 Music Victoria has worked with partners and stakeholders on a number of initiatives which are outlined in our recently released Ten Point Plan," Donovan tells The Music.

"Music Victoria has worked hard to develop a suite of resources supporting live music venues, and supports the correct application of the agent of change principal to protect venues to the fullest extent when threatened by residential development."

Objections to the developments must be submitted by Monday, 10 July. For more details, click here and search the Michael Street address.

The Music has contacted the developers for comment.