Delaney Davidson with Chamber Music New Zealand performing live at the Great Hall in Christchurch. Photo: Sabin Holloway
Christchurch City Council is looking to raise city noise limits from 60 to 65 decibels, making the CBD the loudest in the country.
Auckland and Wellington noise limits are 60 decibels
Music venues have been warning the council that outdated noise limit rules threaten their livelihoods.
Central ward councillor Jake McLellan told Morning Report the changes were being considered because businesses had moved into an area that was not designed for loud noise.
"We have a number of music venues in the South-East side of the city who have opened up over the last 10 years since the quake," he said.
"We had a plan for where businesses would go post quake but obviously 10 years on things have changed, and we want to update the zoning to let businesses continue."
Central ward councillor Jake McLellan. Photo: Supplied
McLellan said he was expecting push back as there would likely be unintended consequences for some residents, but accepted of no changes were made businesses wouldn't be able to operate properly.
There were other options, he said.
"We could zone to allow those music venues in the South-East of the city without impacting residents on the other side of the city."
A consultation of the options was planned to take place in June, with a decision expected in September.
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