Fremantle’s favourite live music venue, Freo.Social, can keep the tunes playing after the state government granted a temporary exemption from noise restrictions.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said, “This temporary noise management framework establishes a practical pathway that supports the operations of Freo.Social while respecting community amenity.”
The Artillery Drill Hall venue has become a stalwart of Perth’s live music landscape, drawing music lovers from across the metro area to catch local, national and international acts in the State Heritage-listed building. Now, the venue has certainty it can continue hosting gigs for up to four nights per week under a new framework designed to balance the needs of the music industry with residential amenity.
The temporary exemption, issued under Section 6 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, is supported by a comprehensive noise management plan developed with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and informed by stakeholder input from all sides of the debate.
Creative Industries Minister and Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk added, “I know how popular and valued Freo.Social is, I also know we need a sensible approach that gives the venue the confidence to continue hosting live music but also give their neighbours clarity that there are firm parameters within which Freo.Social is required to operate.”
$150,000 for soundproofing works
Beyond the regulatory changes, the Cook Government is providing $150,000 through the National Trust of Western Australia for noise attenuation works at the heritage-listed building. The funding will help improve the Artillery Drill Hall’s acoustics and reduce sound leakage from the venue during performances.
The investment recognises the unique challenges of operating a contemporary music venue within a heritage structure that wasn’t designed with modern soundproofing in mind.
What happens next
With the temporary exemption now in effect, Freo.Social will begin the process of transitioning to a long-term approval for noise management under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. Wider community consultation on the permanent framework is expected within the next six months.
Swinbourn said the framework establishes a practical pathway that supports Freo.Social’s operations whilst respecting community amenity.
“The State Government is committed to fostering creative industries, but we also expect venues to operate responsibly,” he said. “This framework sets out clear requirements to manage noise from Freo.Social and I have outlined my expectations to the venue.”
The decision comes as welcome news for Perth’s live music industry, which has faced ongoing challenges around venue viability, noise complaints, and competing land uses in gentrifying inner-city areas.
For music fans, it means Freo.Social’s distinctive programming can continue to enrich Perth’s cultural calendar for years to come.
