Iconic Sydney Live Venue Set To Be First To Be Protected From Noise Complaints

Iconic live music venue Enmore Theatre is set to be the first venue protected from noise complaints.

As Sydney Morning Herald reports, Inner West Council will consider a proposal for new laws that aim to find a balance between protecting locals from noise and venues that receive complaints. 

The proposal has pushed Enmore Theatre to be recognised as a special entertainment precinct which would mean all complaints are to be handled solely by council and remove the right for complainants to also issue complaints to the liquor regulator, the Land and Environment Court and licensing police.

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Greg Khoury, Executive Director of Century Venues (which manages the Enmore Road venue as well as other Sydney live spaces like Metro Theatre and Factory Theatre), welcomed the news.

"The designation of the Enmore Theatre as an entertainment precinct under the new legislation is a great step forward not just for us at Century Venues but the entire live performance sector, particularly independent operators like us," Khoury told The Music.

"No other night time business generates greater economic flow on effects to communities than live performance spaces. Their primary purpose is not alcohol or gaming related and they deliver great social and cultural benefits. At last this is being recognised.

"The practical rationalisation of sound issues, trading and licensing requirements through the abolition of duplicated, outmoded or irrelevant rules will help free up live venue operators and held improve viability across the board.

"We applaud this move."

The Enmore reopened its doors in February having been closed since last March due to the COVID pandemic, with a launch party that featured sets from the likes of Ian Moss and Alex The Astronaut. 

Since reopening, the venue has hosted gigs for huge names including Midnight Oil, Lime Cordiale and Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss.