While festivals clashing with local government has been in the headlines a lot lately, a fine recently handed down to the owners of North Byron Parklands, the site of Splendour In The Grass and the Byron Bay leg of Falls Festival, gives the well-worn tale a new twist.
According to Matt Morris, General Manager of North Byron Parklands, “The recent event was actually in breach with its noise criteria prior to any events coming on stage. So that gives you an indication of how tight and unworkable during winter these particular settings are.”
As the ABC reports, Parklands management are looking into new, retooled noise restrictions after they received a fine for breaching restrictions due to the high levels of bass emitted during this year’s Splendour In The Grass.
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The fine totalled $3,000 and was issued after the NSW Department of Planning & Environment (DP&E), who work with the Planning & Assessment Commission (PAC), recorded excessive noise during Splendour 2014, despite attempts to keep levels in check.
However, Parklands management claim the breach was a result of the PAC not following the DP&E’s recommendations to set a separate noise limit that specifically covered bass sounds.
In a press release yesterday, the owners claimed the PAC “did not set any criteria for bass sounds” and that “during particular weather conditions” some local residents would have experienced “bass emissions from events held at Parklands”.
The owners have also proposed a renewed set of criteria specifically to help manage low-frequency sounds emitted by events held in the venue, which is located in one of Australia’s most famous festival hubs.
“These modifications would benefit the local community, especially in relation to sound by providing clear parameters around bass emissions generated from events held at Parklands,” they wrote.
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Matt Morris, General Manager of North Byron Parklands, said restrictions on Parklands should be the same as other venue in the state. “Many other outdoor venues in NSW have limits set for bass frequencies and this modification would bring Parklands into line with those venues,” he said.
According to Morris, the current restrictions placed on noise limits on the venue are “unworkable” and “much tougher” than those imposed on other outdoor venues.
“The Planning and Assessment Commission took it on themselves to impose their own conditions and set limits that are entirely unworkable,” he told the ABC.
“Unfortunately what that’s meant is that the venue and the regulator have been struggling with how to try to achieve these really unachievable sound limits.”
Considering the venue was found to be in breach before a single act had even taken the stage, we’d say we’re inclined to agree.
