Agent of Change principle goes live in Victoria

The long-awaited Agent of Change principle has become law in the state of Victoria, effective immediately.

State Planning Minister, Matthew Guy approved amendments to the Victorian Planning Provisions to protect live music venues. The new 52.43 Particular Provision clause ensures that from now on, anyone moving into a neighbourhood where there is already a venue or registered rehearsal studio cannot complain about their noise.
Non-traditional venues such as community halls, record stores and radio performance spaces will also be captured by the clause by local councils adding their venues to a schedule in the clause.

The new law is the result of tireless lobbying by Music Victoria, SLAM (Save Live Music Australia) and Fair Go 4 Live Music.

“This is great result for the Victorian music industry,” said Music Victoria CEO, Patrick Donovan. “Like a tight band, the music industry united and negotiated hard to ensure that all of all constituents across the state were captured by this clause. After all, they all combine to make up one of the most vibrant music sectors in the world.”

A statement in SLAM ’s Facebook page pointed out, “Once gazetted into Planning Policy, our loved venues and performance spaces will be protected from encroaching residential development. It’s been a long and hard road to get here, activist’s like Dr Kate Shaw and Jon Perring from Fair Go 4 Live Music have been working on this policy and butting head with governments for 11 years. Since the day we marched on parliament in 2010 when SLAM was formed, one of our biggest goals was to see this principle through."

The government has also committed to reforming the Building Code to reduce red tape for small and medium sized venues, and a $500,000 Live Music Noise Attenuation Assistance Scheme. Details of eligibility for these grants will be released in coming weeks.