Gold Coast cultural precinct already hit with noise complaints before construction is finishes

THE first stage of Gold Coast cultural precinct is almost a year away from completion but nearby residents have already lodged noise complaints.

An artist impression of the amphitheatre under construction in the first stage of the Gold Coast's new cultural precinct.

THE first stage of Gold Coast cultural precinct is almost a year away from completion but nearby residents have already lodged noise complaints.

Neighbours were fuming after a speaker test at the end of last month.

Sound engineers spent a day testing out different types of speakers to see which worked best in the open air amphitheatre which is due for completion before the Commonwealth Games in April next year.

The amphitheatre will have a capacity of 5000 people and is set to hold a range of events from community productions to large scale rock concerts.

The tests prompted six noise complaints to the Gold Coast City Council, the Arts Centre Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at the speaker test for the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct’s amphitheatre which is still under construction. Picture: John Gass

When the project was first put forward, then councillor Lex Bell warned of noise concerns from many residents, particularly those across the Nerang River on Chevron Island and Surfers Paradise.

The complaints came despite the test being conducted during the day when a majority of residents were at work.

Cr Baildon said he was aware of only one complaint which was made on behalf of two households.

An artist impression of the amphitheatre under construction in the first stage of the Gold Coast's new cultural precinct.

He said he was not concerned about posible noise complaints once concerts were held at the ampitheatre.

“They were only doing testing so they were lifting the noise levels higher than they usually would,” Cr Baildon said.

He said he was sure the noise levels had been taken into account in the design.

“I am sure most (designers) were aware of the issues.

“It’s something we all need to take into account with an open air amphitheatre.”

An artist impression of the amphitheatre under construction in the first stage of the Gold Coast's new cultural precinct.

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said about 500 homes and businesses were letter-dropped in the lead-up to the speaker tests.

“The amphitheatre must satisfy legislation requirements and will establish a noise management plan for its proposed program of performances,” he said.