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Good news Victoria, the state government has paid to soundproof venues

The state of live music in Australia has been a dire one as of late, with established live music venues clashing with noise complaints and lockout laws. In what may be the first sign of changing times, several Victorian venues who’ve had to dosh out tens of thousands of dollars on soundproofing will be compensated by the Victorian government.

Victoria soundproofing live venues

The iconic Cherry Bar, in addition to Ding Dong Lounge, 1000 Pound Bend, Bendigo Hotel, the Bakehouse Studios and Revolver Upstairs, who all had soundproofing work completed between September 2010 and September 2014, have received $250 000 worth of grants from the state government. Cherry Bar had in fact raised $50 000 via a crowd funding campaign to cover soundproofing, with the new grants undoubtedly easing a lot of pressure these venues have been feeling.

This follows on from laws introduced in Victoria last year that outlined any new developments within 50 metres of a live music venue would have to cover the cost of soundproofing. Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Jane Garrett has vocally supported the new grants, saying “Our live music venues are the life blood of budding young artists and it draws musicians from around the world. These soundproofing grants will allow neighbours to enjoy peace and quiet at home and still embrace the vibrancy of where they live“.

With Victoria once again leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of Australia in the treatment of live music, we can only hope this will be the start of a national trend.