The Dunedin City Council last week increased the acoustic insulation requirements of all bedrooms and "principal living areas" in new apartments — in zones including the CBD, warehouse precinct and harbourside edge — from a minimum standard of 30dB to 35dB.
A decision report signed by a three-commissioner panel said it was estimated the amendment could add $2000 to $8000 to the cost of a build.
"We do not find that to be an unduly onerous cost in light of the benefits that would be achieved for building inhabitants."
However, the commissioners were not persuaded a more stringent standard of 40dB was appropriate "due to the additional costs that would impose on developers", the report said.
The amendments were part of a range of changes made to the city’s second generation district plan, and are now in force.
Save Dunedin Live Music (SDLM) spokesman David Bennett said the changes were "a great step" that brought Dunedin more in line with bigger cities around the country.
It would not only be of great benefit to music venues and the general vibrancy of the city "but also big for residents as well".
Better-insulated dwellings were not only quieter, they were also warmer and generally better built.
"It’s a win all round for everyone," Mr Bennett said.
SDLM in its submission on the changes had called for a design standard of 40dB in bedrooms.
Mr Bennett said the group understood interests had to be balanced between musicians, inner-city residents and developers alike, and it was happy with where the decision had ended up.
"Even though we didn’t get the absolute gold standard we would have liked, it’s a definite increase.
"The expansion to not just bedrooms but also living areas is fantastic.
"It’s going to severely reduce the amount that people are affected by the activities in the city within their homes ... and that just works out better for music all round."
TGC Homes director George Hercus said the changes would increase costs, but, in isolation, not be prohibitive to developing in the CBD.
"In terms of building in the CBD, I can’t see that those changes are going to have a major impact.
"The reality is that there are so much bigger hurdles to building in the CBD than the acoustic protections the council have put in."
The market would not have been willing to pay for the additional costs of a 40dB standard "because the market’s already not that happy paying the current costs for housing", Mr Hercus said.
"I know there will be groups that are pushing to have those rules more stringent. I imagine those same people are also pushing for housing to be cheaper and more affordable.
"You can’t have it both ways."
