Peter Thomas Stuehrenberg

2:43 Peter Sternberg: So, my name is Peter Sternberg. I'm living, so a bit about myself, I'm living in the Shire since 2002. Temporarily in Noosa Head since 2015 and permanently since 2021. Monday to Friday I work in Gympie. And Saturday to Sundays I'm enjoying what Noosa has to offer. And also enjoying the night life at the Junction. So it is important for me to say here, I do not know anyone who is against live entertainment at the Junction. In the contrary, most people enjoy it. And acknowledge the need for it. But I would like to take you through a summary of events. So what happened since Christmas, last Christmas? We've had the usual annual experience during this period where the noise increases until school begins. We know about this and accept it as part of living close to the Junction, totally normal. Then in February this year the noise of loud music keeps coming. And lasting past 10pm. Even in weekdays. Residents and guests are irritated and their sleep is impacted. In the following months the residents are exploring where the loud music comes from and are engaging with the venue owners and the OLGR.

3:59 So some improvements from the venues were made but not sustained. So complaints were sent to the OLGR and OLGR has acted on those complaints. So I would like you to have a look at that page that is in front of you. And it's always set out why is it that some residents are complaining and others not. And here why some residents are affected by the noise from venues and others are not. So here's an example of venue location and its associated affected area. So the red area shows where sound can travel in a straight line without barriers. So houses that are in elevated areas are actually more affected. So the topography of Sunshine Beach Road essentially is a small valley. So sound from the strip travels up to the surrounding hillsides.

4:58 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: I can just excuse you for a moment. There is no recording in meetings that is happening at the moment.

5:08 Okay continue. Yeah.

5:09 Peter Sternberg: So therefore this location for nightlife and entertainment in general is and will always be a challenge with the surrounding residents in the old and newly built homes. So what is in this picture is just an example. I don't know how the other areas would look like, you know, where sound travels in this area and that area.

5:41 So mid end of July we discovered the fact sheet number 12. Based on the residents long term and recent experience with noise related issue, the near proposal to extend the time from current council provisions to seven days until midnight came to a shock to the affected residents. What will happen if the proposed changes will be put in place? When asking people to make a submission to council, the older long term residents gave up. For example, comments like our council is not listening anyway. They just do what they want, etc. At least they wished me luck. And you're younger, you can do it. After the end of the submission period, I launched a petition to inform people in general regarding fact sheet number 12 and the potential negative consequences for the surrounding residences. And to provide an option for people who missed the submission deadline. Another petition was launched, Save Our Music from NGA, which is concerned about the potential absence of live music and its consequences. Both petitions request a collaborative approach.

6:51 What will happen if the residents' rights to peace in their homes at a reasonable hour cannot be guaranteed? If this continues, that venues with live or recorded music are exceeding the noise and time limits provided in their license to the point that residents' well-being is severely impacted? If there is no regulation and enforcement provided by the council, what are the potential impacts? Will the current and future residents have to listen to music in their homes and bedrooms and toilets? Will they have to wait until midnight or longer every night then? Listen to the noise associated with loud patrons and staff leaving the junction after midnight? For example, screaming, yelling, motorbikes and loud cars with modified exhaust systems. We can hear them actually for miles and long time. And then the essential workers living here must wake up early in the morning to go and perform at their work after just four to five hours of sleep. How will school kids perform at school after lack of sleep? What choices will these surrounding residents have? Soundproof their houses or apartments, move somewhere else, or complain to the authorities?

8:12 History has not given us the confidence that all venues can regulate themselves in a way that does not unreasonably impact on the surrounding residents with the current rules and regulations in place. The proposed changes in fact sheet number 12 bear the risk the current situation will be significantly worsened. In this fact sheet it is unclear how a right balance between the needs of business owners and residents can be achieved. There is no mentioning of the surrounding residents. Further, open court here, Noosa Council does not deal with noise complaints about music, loud stereos, parties, rowdy behavior, go to the police is the answer there. Noosa Council does not deal with noise complaints about premises with a liquor license, go to the OLGR. So in essence, Noosa Council makes the changes and then the residents will have to deal with any unintended consequences.

9:13 Now, how can we expect better outcomes if we are continuing making the same mistakes over again? Noise in the junction has always been an issue. Several venues have over the years been moved from Hastings Street as nightlife there clashes with tourism to the junction which has resulted in noise complaints and issues each time. The Village Bike moved from opposite Nomads to Sunshine Beach Road. Little Sister moved into where Village Beach had been. Same thing happened, complaints followed. And Little Sister had to leave that place. There were noise issues a couple of years ago with the cornerstone. They spent tens of thousands putting in acoustic measures. Then sold to Four Pines who unknowingly during their renovations removed all those acoustic measures. Started operating and of course the noise complaints rolled in. They spent over 40,000 putting in new acoustic mitigation measurements. New York Minute arrived in December 23, January 24. With no plans to operate within the restriction of its live music license. And by the end of January complaints started rolling in. It took eight months of residents' complaints for OLGR to eventually stop them from playing live music after warnings and fines initiated.

10:36 Will the same thing happen with every new licensee that comes to the junction? Council can provide the license. It doesn't work. Residents complain and spend months and months not sleeping. Eventually the licensee is hit with costs and renovate their premises with acoustic measures. Or if outdoors they need to pivot and change their business models when they realize they simply can't play live music. So what are the learnings and how will they be used for the future? What could be done?

11:14 A future where businesses can operate with confidence, patrons can enjoy entertainment safely and residents will not be negatively impacted. We don't understand why fact sheet number 12 is in the amendment. We suggest to remove it from this amendment. Because the matter deserves a collaborative approach which provides the time for consultation, impact assessment, case studies to produce sustainable solutions that provide the best outcomes for all stakeholders involved. A collaborative approach is needed including stakeholders and expert groups to explore entertainment options for Noosa that will not have unintended consequences and potential long-term negative impacts on the region's economy. The scope should not only focus on the Noosa junction hospitality present. What about if Noosa would have a long-term impact on the region's economy? If the residents would have gone to the Noosa junction, where all purposes and needs are considered, where the junction plays a vital part of it? If number one can be achieved then the surrounding residents will be able to continue enjoying live music at the junction and be able to sleep peacefully in their homes?

12:32 Can we achieve a result with a balance between supporting tourism-driven night life and maintaining residential safety? As you know, finding a balance between economic growth, residential satisfaction and community needs is essential to sustainable urban development. So I'm coming here to the end, but I would like to thank you and I would like to also thank you all the people who have signed the petitions, both petitions on this matter. It shows that this is an important issue and we now could get this right. I'd like to thank the people in my neighbourhood which encouraged me to be here today and also obviously I thank you for listening to me today and have the opportunity to revise the amendment number two. Thank you.

13:33 Deputy Mayor Stockwell: Thank you. The process is that we have had staff go through all the submissions to the planning scheme and we're currently going through a series of workshops where the major ones are discussed in some detail. So there will be probably weeks before you do find the outcome, but you can tell the older residents now that Worcester Council does listen.

13:55 Peter Sternberg: Yes, it is. And I saw some of your reportings online and I can see really you are listening and you are trying to find the best solution. Thank you.