THE Dave’s Cans rooftop bar on top of the old Myer Building must unplug because of noise complaints.
The live venue has been a hit with punters, attracting regular crowds of 400-plus since opening in December.
But it’s also upset the locals, with more than 30 calls to the council about thundering tunes ricocheting off high walls and bouncing as far out as White Gum Valley.
Numerous attempts by the Herald to contact Dave’s Cans organisers were meet with a wall of silence, but the group did leave a message on their Facebook page.
“Due to noise complaints and ongoing opposition from a group of very vocal residents in the Fremantle area, the Dave’s Cans rooftop bar will be ceasing any live/well amplified electronic music as of Saturday, February 1 2014.
“Please understand that we have fought as much as possible to keep this venue alive in its live music capacity, as we believe that it was an important addition to the Fremantle area.
“We are extremely upset and saddened to see the end of this era of the venue.”
The bar remains open but will only be allowed to play house music and have a “quiet DJ”.
Council’s health manager Matthew Piggott says the bar was fined twice for exceeding 16-decibel and 33-decibel limits.
“We are extremely upset and saddened to see the end of this era of the venue.”
He says Spacemarket, which runs the Many 6160 project at the old Myer Building, has also breached five planning conditions.
Mr Piggott says Spacemarket failed to submit an acoustic report before opening the venue.
“After waiting two months and being assured by the organisers on multiple occasions that an acoustic report would be submitted, the city was left with no choice but to issue a $500 planning infringement notice.
“It’s very unfortunate that despite our continual help, they were unable or unwilling to meet their requirements.
“The organiser’s of Dave’s Can were relatively inexperienced and we hope all future organisers are able to learn from this experience.”
Cr Rachel Pemberton said she could hear the music from her house, 1.5km away.
“It has been too loud,” she posted on Dave’s Cans’ Facebook site, asking whether a compromise could be reached.
The Chook’s been told one prominent critic was former WA premier Peter Dowding, who lives in South Fremantle, earning him a rebuke from Freo’s reggae community.
Jah Wisdom posted a most un-Marley like blast (Ed: warning, offensive words and tortured grammar follow): “EAT the fuckin rich, I Hate Ex premiers and ex Politicians who live in freo. We know who you are ,we are coming for you so you can be relocated and have your mind altered..”
by BRENDAN FOSTER