Applications open for Good Music Neighbours venue grants

Good Music Neighbours is an initiative by the Victorian government to provide up to $25,000 per venue to provide the sound proofing necessary to minimise impact on neighbouring homes and businesses.

Since the program began, more than $500,000 has been invested in more than 50 Victorian venues.

The program is delivered by Creative Victoria in partnership with Music Victoria and the National Live Music Office

The third round is open until 5pm April 26. Applications can be made via the Creative Victoria Grants Portal.

There is more information on the grants here.

Recently 22 venues across Victoria including The Bridge Hotel (Castlemaine), The Evelyn Hotel (Fitzroy) and 24 Moons (Northcote) received acoustic assessment funding.

This involves reports and advice from acoustic consultants on the venue’s problem areas and how to contain the sound.

According to the scheme, “This is the important first step in the process of managing and understanding a venue’s sound management and maintaining good relations within its community.”

The list also includes emerging venues like The Stables in Sale and Cactus in Thornbury which will undertake acoustic assessments before formally launching their live music programs.

Justin Stanford of Fitzroy’s The Night Cat says, “Good Music Neighbours and Agent of Change legislation has been amazing for The Night Cat.

“Good Music Neighbours match funded $25,000 worth of soundproofing works including airlocks front and rear of the venue and insulated window coverings at the front of the venue, acoustic ceiling tiles, acoustic filling for hollow stages, theatrical drapes and more.

“Victorian Government, Creative Victoria are leading the way in how to achieve great results for venues and to keep venues open for music lovers.

Rehearsal and recording facility Bakehouse Studios in inner city Richmond found large towers coming up around them, and realised that the old building’s corrugated roof would be a problem in containing the music being made inside.

“So to protect ourselves, we realised we had to sound proof very quickly,” says Helen Marcou, who co-owns Bakehouse with Quincy McLean.

Starting costs for the changes was $153,000 – and Marcou says the grant was essential, to install a skylight to further contain the noise.

“We do it because we have belief in our music community,” she explains.