Residents have lashed out at a Labor election promise to end a freeze on late-night liquor licences in inner Melbourne, arguing the pledge risks making their suburbs unlivable due to noise and antisocial behaviour.
Rafael Camillo, president of CBD community group Residents 3000, said he felt blindsided by Andrews’ plan to stimulate late-night venues. “Music is good when you want to hear it but when you’re forced to, it can be a form of torture,” he said.Better planning and building design was needed, he said, to ensure noise did not disrupt those living in densely populated areas and deter people from moving to the area.“We need residents and businesses to cohabit here,” he said. “No one is against live music or wants to shut nightclubs and bars, we just want balance.
“Councillors do an extraordinary amount of work to get the balance right and to have it open slather would be irresponsible and reckless,” he said.Hurlston said there was a big difference between venues closing at 1am compared with 3am.Andrews has assured residents that ending the freeze did not mean that all venues could increase their hours or establish new locations.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the council was advocating for an extension of the freeze because of concerns about the impact on residents and local police.“It’s critical we find the balance between supporting Melbourne’s booming night-time economy and maintaining the safety of our city and the wellbeing of residents and visitors after dark,” Capp said.
“The liquor licence freeze, together with our excellent relationships with Victoria Police and local traders, and our planning controls, have been highly effective in managing the impacts of licensed premises.”
There will be more drunken and drug violence and more people will die. Good one Andrews. 😢
Just because some have said it, doesn’t mean you need to report it. This is good for the city! Isn’t Melbourne the place that is apparently dead and nobody is going out and businesses are tanking? NIMBYs can vote how they like, but they’re always going to be NIMBYs.
Desperate
If you want peace and quiet maybe downtown CBD is not the perfect residential area for you. Just saying.
Melbourne used to be the best in the early hours. It was full of different people to meet. I rarely saw anything untoward. I would have thought that Melbournites would have enjoyed it and be used to city noise?
Sooks.
Has Dan also legalised Cannabis for those who want to play all-night in Melbourne but not consume a dangerous and cancer-causing liquid poison? springst VicVotes2022 auspol
That might be OK for people who don't live near a venue, but not for others. Besides, encouraging late night entertainment of any kind means people aren't as productive at work, turning up late, inebriated still and even more.
Just say you really hate Dan Andrews and Labor, it’d be easier
LOG WAY TO THE TOP by AC/DC features the band and the members of the Rats of Tobruk Pipe band on the back of a flatbed truck travelling on Swanston Street in Melbourne.
this is so long over due. The night economy is shit atm. Its like they wanted to turn Melbourne into Sydney.
LordMayorMelb as a cityofmelbourne rate payer i'm incredibly disappointed to hear your thoughts in this article. We need more live music venues and bars in the CBD and this temporary measure has gone on for about 13 years too long... just disgraceful.
Local numpties who move next to bars complain about noise from bars. Shock horror
Is there a reason you interviewed Dean Hurleston and neglected to mention he's a candidate for the Angry Victorians Party, the same party whose leader recently called for the assassination of the Premier?
Imagine moving to Melbourne and making noise complaints.
' A small number of inner city residents described it as reckless and irresponsible while others see it as a plus and recognise that the inner city music scene is what made their area so vibrant and attractive in the first place and applaud Labor's plan.'
Maybe I will vote Labor after all…
Pog
I’m voting for dan now Thanks dan
They can move to a boring city, like Sydney
How about he lifts the mandates
The age is terrible
If you don’t want noise don’t live in the inner suburbs. Easy.
We're sick of Government intervention!! Actually wait wait no...
Andrew’s could literally cure cancer & you’d still find something to moan about.
Is about time, been tied up for too long
What happened to The Age - they used to be cool?
Yeah that terrible government promoting our culture instead of protecting the value of my investment properties, The Age is right, vote for the Liberal party racist anti-science cookers instead.,
It’s very good actually