Innovative noise reductive systems from Echo Barrier can play a key role in reviving Australia’s live music scene, while keeping the peace in the neighbourhood.
Live music events have been attracting negative attention of late, with noise complaints from surrounding residents increasingly leading to cancelled events, fines for organisers, and even closure of some venues.
Echo Barrier Director Ray Lee comments that the live music industry contributes over $1.21 billion to the economy and is an important part of Australian culture. However, it can also be quite disruptive to residents and businesses in the neighbourhood; councils and organisers therefore need to find a sustainable solution that considers the needs of everyone involved.
In addition to the direct impact on the music industry, councils are also feeling the crunch as they are often the first to receive complaints and are called upon to mediate between government organisations, event organisers, venues and communities trying to negotiate solutions via task force responses and policy reforms.
While councils are taking appropriate action to address this issue in the long-term, Ray believes products such as acoustic barriers and acoustic fencing have a role to play for more immediate results.
Echo Barrier’s noise attenuation products have been deployed successfully at many high profile events around the world, including major events in New York, at the 2012 London Olympics, and even in smaller music festivals across Australia.
Rather than reflecting noise like most other products, Echo Barrier’s noise attenuation products effectively reduce the impact of noise by 10 to 20 dB(A) by absorbing it.
Echo Barrier’s products are available for hire and sale, offering a cost-effective solution to mitigating noise not only during music events, but any outdoor event. Councils or event organisers can purchase these noise barriers for use throughout the year, or hire them on an as-needed basis. The barriers do not absorb water, so they are ideal for outside use and durable enough to be left up throughout the life of a festival.
Being flexible and lightweight, these barriers can be handled by a single person. The portability and easy installation aspects maximise flexibility for the venue manager.
The barriers not only mitigate noise, but also demonstrate environmental responsibility. Ray explains noise pollution is a real issue and organisations that proactively mitigate its risk demonstrate a responsible and community conscious approach.
