Christchurch is in a cultural clash, with City Council acting as the referee between art and commerce.
As Christchurch City Council encourages inner-city housing development, some of the city’s live music venue operators are worried their spaces could go silent.
This was highlighted after the City Council received a total of 15,426 noise complaints in 2020. This is his highest number in ten years.
Darkroom co-owner Feather Shaw said: Any noise complaints may result in our closure or the closure of nearby venues. ”
The three venues are directly influenced by the housing complex under construction on St. Asaph Street, not far from Little High Eatery. The operators of Darkroom, Space Academy and 12Bar believe such developments could have a negative impact on the city’s music scene.
Kendra Walls, music manager at 12 Bar, said: It’s original live music, so they want to come out and have fun. ”
Save our Venues is part of a nationwide collective dedicated to giving small live music outlets a voice.
Save our Venues spokesperson Taylor MacGregor said: to them. “
MacGregor believes that noise from the three venues could be considered disturbing if these new homes were not properly designed and soundproofed.
This could leave businesses facing restrictions or closures under current congressional rules.
Shaw said: “It would be devastating for him to lose these three venues. “
Walls made the case for the venue at a recent city council meeting. “We want to work with Congress to find ways to run our venues. They want to live there.”
The council is currently considering options to circumvent this issue, but has yet to make a decision.
-John Spadle
– Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air