Court orders soundproofing for development near Triffid music venue

A court has delivered a huge win for Brisbane’s struggling live music scene, ordering a developer to soundproof units in its planned Fortitude Valley highrises.

Brisbane’s struggling live music venues have been handed their biggest win in years after a Planning & Environment Court settlement last week set a precedent to protect venue owners from noise complaints.

High-profile Brisbane construction firm Hutchinson Builders took on Panettiere Developments over its plans for a three-tower mixed-use project in Newstead, called Little Italy, next to The Triffid.

“Hutchies’’ and ex-Powderfinger frontman John “JC’’ Collins, Queensland’s first night-life commissioner, co-own the Triffid and teamed up to build the Fortitude Music Hall.

Chairman Scott Hutchinson said the court settlement was not just a win for The Triffid but a major victory for music venues across the city.

“At the end of the day, live music’s more important than money,’’ he said.

“You can get just one vexatious complaint (shutting a venue). It’s crazy.

Scott Hutchinson at the Fortitude Music Hall. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“Hutchies is going to make sure, all over the place, that live music is not shut down, no matter what it costs.

“The Valley in particular is the place for live music.’’

A Hutchinsons representative said while Brisbane City Council’s approval in October last year of the Panettiere project included conditions on noise insulation, such conditions often were not carried out by developers because of the extra cost.

The Planning & Environment Court ruling ensured Panettiere must take adequate measures to shield living areas of its development from noise emanating from the Triffid.

That could include thicker windows, changes to concrete massing (its overall shape or form), concrete balustrades on some levels and moving bedrooms in units on some levels.

Noise complaints, often from just one neighbour, have closed down or put immense pressure on Brisbane’s dwindling live venues in recent years.

Tensions first surfaced over Little Italy late last year when Hutchies launched the legal action over the $1.5bn towers.

Panettiere has agreed to improve soundproofing in building 1, adjacent to The Triffid.

Acoustic “treatments’’ would be bolstered on levels four to 12, as well as new unit layouts.

A Pub Choir crowd at The Triffid. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“We’re proud to have worked constructively with The Triffid representatives to find a solution that respects Brisbane’s vibrant music culture while allowing the proposed development to move forward,” Panettiere Developments said in a statement.

Construction has not yet started but Panettiere said that despite the legal delays they were proceeding with “renewed momentum’’.

Stage 1, fronting Longland and Kyabra streets, was likely to hit the market soon.

The Triffid opened a decade ago on Stratton St. In 2006 council created the Fortitude Valley Entertainment Precinct which has unique, relaxed noise and planning laws to encourage the local night-time economy.

The precinct was expanded to include The Triffid in 2017.

Originally published as Court orders soundproofing for development near Triffid music venue