Standing at the front of Butterfly 73 in Northbridge, cars zoom by at any given moment.
But for nightclub owners, the sound of a singular car driving past on the street could be the loudest noise level allowed if a new policy is implemented to regulate sound from entertainment venues.
The state government has proposed restrictions to noise levels in the Northbridge Special Entertainment Precinct to 90 decibels in the core and 79 decibels between 2am and 5am on weekends.
Venues would also be restricted to a 79dB level during the week after midnight.
But the amendments to the Environmental Protection (Noise) Amendment Regulations 2026 would be opt-in for venues which owners in the precinct say no-one will voluntarily partake in.
“There’s never really been a clear guideline for the balance between venues and residents, between keeping Northbridge vibrant, but also allowing residents to rest,” Butterfly 73 owner and City of Perth councillor Chris Patten told this masthead.
“So currently, the noise regulations are a bit gray, and there’s no real clear number that venues need to work to because at the moment it’s basically: if it’s too loud at a resident’s property, then your system’s too loud, and you need to turn it down.”
Under the current policy, noise levels are measured at residential premises in Northbridge at night. That limit is 54dB. The updated policy would move the measurement to one metre from the boundary of an entertainment venue.
While originally excited about the idea of some frameworks around sound levels in the precinct, Patten said the proposed limits were different from what venues believed they would be.
“Originally, the state government and DWER (Department of Water and Environmental Regulation) went out, and they did a lot of consulting and then in 2022 the City of Perth turned around and said, ‘Okay, we’re happy with 95 decibels, one meter from the boundary’,” he said.
“Everyone in the industry said that was fine. But then fast-forward a couple of years later, the regulations have now been published, but they’ve changed, and it wasn’t what was originally said.
“So now they’re only going to allow venues 90 dB, but after 2am you have to turn down to 79, and those step-downs were very concerning.”
Patten believes having a step-down to 79 dB will “completely kill any form of entertainment” in the early hours of the morning.
“No one can comply with it. I walked around with a sound meter just around Northridge and every venue was between 96 and 100. So why are we going to go with something that no one can comply with? It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
A DWER spokesperson said the reforms aim to give entertainment venues “greater certainty while supporting new development and protecting the amenity of residents.”
“Proposed amendments to the noise regulations are being progressed to allow eligible entertainment venues to opt in to these arrangements. Until finalised, the current noise regulations will continue to apply,” the spokesperson said.
“With the reforms, entertainment venue operators can choose to continue under the current noise regulations and requirements or apply for the higher defined noise limits as the area develops.”
But Patten says the opt-in method will only cause more concern.
“My concern is that while it might be opt-in for now, I do worry that this will become mandatory down the future, and that’s why it’s important that we need to get it right, whether it’s opt-in or not,” he said.
The City of Perth also raised concerns about the noise limits, with the council voting on September 30 to make a submission to DWER on the amendments.
“The City supports the establishment of a clear and workable noise management framework for Northbridge that provides certainty for entertainment venues while appropriately managing impacts on residents,” a City of Perth spokesperson said.
“However, the City has raised a number of concerns with the draft regulations currently being considered by DWER.
“The City’s submission seeks a framework that protects Northbridge’s role as Western Australia’s premier entertainment precinct while maintaining appropriate protections for residents and community amenity.”
The Australian Hotels Association WA also put in a submission to DWER.
“The AHA(WA) strongly supports the establishment of a Special Entertainment Precinct in Northbridge and the broader policy objective of protecting and strengthening Western Australia’s live music, hospitality and nighttime economy,” chief executive Bradley Woods said.
“While we initially had concerns that the framework as proposed will not deliver that objective, we have provided feedback and proposed amendments that would better align the regulations with the original intent of the reforms: protecting residents while preserving the live music, hospitality and entertainment activity that gives Northbridge its character.”
Nightlife in Perth has become a hot topic of conversation, with the state government announcing on Friday a new Nighttime Economy Strategy which Premier Roger Cook said will support destinations that “are vibrant, safe, and inclusive.”
“Creating jobs, attracting visitors, and reflecting Western Australia’s culture and diversity, it will maximise WA’s already massive nighttime economy, which employs more than 140,000 people and generates over $23 billion in sales turnover each year,” Cook said.
“So, an important part of what we do. Altogether, these strategies support a visitor economy that attracts people, encourages them to stay longer, and creates stronger connections in Western Australia.
“It’s all a part of my government’s priority of making sure that we generate jobs, diversify our economy, and keep Western Australia’s economy the strongest in the nation.”
The strategy will provide a framework for all nighttime activities, including hospitality, tourism, arts and culture, and sport and recreation, operating between 6pm and 6am.
A state government spokesperson said the implementation of practical noise regulations is the last important step in the development of the Northbridge Special Entertainment Precinct.
“These regulations will provide entertainment venues in the Northbridge SEP with an optional approval process to exceed the current assigned noise emission level of 54dB(C), up to a maximum of 90dB(C) in the core area and 79dB(C) in the frame area,” they said.
“These noise levels elevate Northbridge to one of the most progressive jurisdictions in Australia for management of entertainment noise, on par with Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.
“These regulations provide entertainment venues with greater operational certainty, while balancing the need for additional accommodation uses such as hotels and student living within the precinct, as well as ensuring the State’s housing delivery objectives are not compromised in the strategically important infill location of the Perth City Link and nearby Stirling Street.
The spokesperson said DWER, in consultation with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the City of Perth, are working on amendments to the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 as a priority.
“DWER undertook consultation with key stakeholders through mid-2026, and is currently working through the feedback received,” they said.
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