In short:
The ACT government has brought in sweeping changes to noise restrictions in the city in a bid to boost live music and entertainment.
It has also made a range of regulatory changes including reducing liquor licensing fees in some circumstances.
What's next?
Further changes, including parking permits for musicians, will come into effect in the coming weeks before the government hopes to replicate the entertainment precinct in other town centres.
More relaxed noise limits are now in effect in Canberra's city centre in a bid to throw a lifeline to the struggling live music industry.
The changes, which will see noise restrictions in a central area of Civic increased from 60 decibels to 75 decibels, have been wholeheartedly embraced by the sector.
"We want there to be fun, and fun is not silent," ACT arts and culture minister Tara Cheyne said.
"We want people to know that there are things going on, and we want our venues to not be worried about making noise."
President of MusicACT Dave Caffrey characterised the move as a turning point for the city, and said Canberra's noise limits are now among the best in the country.
The new noise limits will allow for a higher bass, or dB(C), limit, which means venues playing live and electronic music would be treated equally.
"Currently, there's a lot of venue managers and festival managers looking at Canberra and not investing," he said.
"Today, they will get incentives ... and will look at Canberra differently. We are open for business."
John Murphy, who owns Canberra venue Squeaky Clean, said the changed limits would mean venue managers wouldn't need to worry as much about which artists they were putting on late at night, as the previous limits meant some artists weren't able to play at certain times.
"It makes our city lively and bustling and an exciting place to live," he said.
Breaking the noise levels down
In a central zone of Civic, now known as the City Centre Entertainment Precinct, noise limits have been increased from 60 decibels to 75 decibels in a "core" area covering the Sydney Building and Garema Place.
The decibel limit refers to the sound a music venue is allowed to make at the perimeter of the building:
- 60 decibels is the equivalent to a normal conversation between two people;
- 75 decibels is estimated to be around the sound of a vacuum cleaner, or the sound of chamber music in a small auditorium;
- 110 decibels is estimated to be the kind of sound you'd be exposed to in a mosh pit at a rock concert.
The increase to 75 decibels brings Canberra largely in line with Brisbane's party precinct, Fortitude Valley.
The relaxed noise standard will be in place from Sunday to Wednesday between 10am to 11pm, and on Thursdays to Saturdays from 10am to 1pm, in the designated "core" area.
Some smaller relaxations to noise limits have also been made in a wider area of the city known as the "frame" — up to 65 decibels from 60 decibels.
The "frame" area reaches further out to the Canberra Centre, the Melbourne Building and the Canberra Theatre.
Ms Cheyne said this "innovative" model of the core and frame was expected to ensure quiet closer to where people lived, and thinks they have the balance right between residents wanting quiet, and supporting nightlife.
None of the changes impact construction or residential noise.
Government hope they have the balance right
Ms Cheyne said the live music industry had continued to struggle since the pandemic and was still feeling the "effects of long Covid".
But she said the changes announced today are the culmination of 15 years of discussions with the sector.
"Today, we've been able to do something that's been called on for a long, long time, and it's with relief and excitement that we've been able to deliver it," she said.
"I have confidence that it will reflect what we want to see in our city."
Ms Cheyne said there would be ongoing conversations with the regulator about how future noise complaints were managed.
She also noted there had been significant public consultation undertaken earlier this year.
But it wasn't just noise restrictions which the government announced as part of its night-time economy support package.
In the coming weeks, musicians will be able to apply for a permit to park in loading zones for up to 30 minutes to load and unload musical equipment.
Changes to liquor licensing laws have also meant businesses can now access a significant reduction in licensing fees if they hold live music and arts events in their venue.
The government hopes the success of the City Entertainment Precinct will be able to be replicated in other suburban centres.
As Kojo Owusu-Ansah — better known as the celebrated hip hop artist Citizen Kay — said: "I don't think Canberra is boring. I have been flying that flag for a while, so this is only adding to my praise of Canberra."