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Stronger protection of music venues could be needed to prevent Dunedin from losing them, a city councillor says.
The music sector was fearful development of apartments next to The Crown Hotel in Rattray St could lead to noise complaints and the city might end up losing a storied venue, Cr Carmen Houlahan said.
"Urgent action is needed," she said.
"Live music and live theatre add to the liveability of a city.
"We need to retain vibrancy in our city."
Discussion about Rattray St followed the Dunedin City Council granting resource consent for a four-storey, mixed-use development there.
The issue of noise complaints making it difficult for music venues to function also cropped up last year concerning The Dog With Two Tails cafe and bar in Moray Pl.
That led to the city council facilitating creation of a live music action plan, as well as lobbying from the Save Dunedin Live Music group.
Cr Houlahan said one path forward could be adjusting zoning in the city.
She wanted to see a music, arts and culture precinct, where some noise from existing buildings would be expected.
The council needed to show the music sector its concerns had been heard, she said.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins, who led the move to include $10,000 in council budgets for the live music action plan, has labelled The Crown the home of New Zealand’s best jukebox.
"Some of us remember residential development next to Arc Cafe being the beginning of the end for that community," Mr Hawkins said in a social media post.
"We can’t afford to lose this one."
He had flagged the issue with council staff.
However, Mr Hawkins also noted the council’s new district plan covered what is known as reverse sensitivity, or "moving in next to a noisy activity and then complaining about the noise".
A rule about acoustic insulation recognised the need for noise-sensitive activities, such as apartments, to protect themselves from noise, such as music.
Mr Hawkins said there would likely be disagreement about whether performance standards for insulation were adequate, but protections did exist for the kind of situation The Crown might one day get caught up in.
The Otago Daily Times has sought further comment from Mr Hawkins.