Melbourne’s Bendigo Hotel Given Time To Fix Noise Issues

Collingwood's Bendigo Hotel has been given extra time to meet live music noise level requirements after an 11th-hour meeting with council managed to avoid legal action planned for today.

The venue found itself at the centre of the Melbourne music industry's attention yesterday after it emerged that sustained noise complaints from residents regarding live music. Following a wide-spread petition, council agreed to sit down with the venue and solve the issues without the need for a costly legal battle.

The Yarra City Council has issued a statement to theMusic.com.au this morning saying the meeting was a success.

“A VCAT [Victorian Civil And Administrative Tribunal] hearing due to start today in relation to noise issues at the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood has been averted to allow more time for all parties to reach a solution,” it read.

“Last night's meeting involving the hotel's licensee, a number of Yarra Councillors and Council staff resulted in an agreement to carry out further acoustic testing.”

There had been mixed reports over the nature of the resident complaints, with venue owner Guy Palermo telling theMusic that a single short-term resident was behind the issues. However council told theMusic that they had received a number of complaints from four individuals over a 12 month period. A number of acoustic tests carried out by compliance officers had shown that the venue's noise levels were above the limit that every venue in the state must abide to.

“Discussions highlighted incidences where bands have brought in their own amplification for gigs which have circumvented the hotel's house system,” said the council's statement this morning.

“The house system is equipped with a sound limiter designed to keep volumes within permitted levels.”