BRIDGETOWN music lovers have lost a live music venue after a local resident raised a complaint to the Bridgetown Greenbushes Shire with concerns regarding building and health by-laws.
Michael Southwell, Proprietor of the Freemasons Hotel in Bridgetown, made comments on his blog page on December 2 that he had made a complaint to the shire after more than a year of illegal operations.
"I shouldn't have had to complain. I waited more than a year for the authorities to do something before I did," Mr Southwell said in his blog. "Pratico, his fellow councillors and the Council were aware there was a new entertainment venue open in town and it was obviously in a place which was not properly set up as a public venue."
The Green Door had been operating since April 2012, and was operating as 'Rendezvous of Arts' for 12 months prior to this. It provided entertainment to music lovers throughout the years and was a popular youth facility, with school holiday programs and weekly music sessions for the young people in town to participate in, as well as concerts, quiz nights and fund-raisers.
A plan to hold regular music sessions with a licensed bar drew scrutiny from some community members. This resulted in the shire council taking action after receiving a complaint from Mr Southwell.
Bridgetown-Greenbushes Chief Executive Officer Tim Clynch said that the occupancy of the building hadn't been approved for the current use and the Shire was not able to approve use until the building was modified to comply with the Building Code of Australia.
"Both I and the Building Surveyor have met with office bearers of the Green Door and the building owner on a number of occasions," Mr Clynch said. "We have reviewed the current legislation and had some discussions with the Building Commission. This has led to the conclusion that there aren’t any possible exemptions available to the owner of the property occupied by the Green Door and it is clear that compliance to the legislation is required.
"The discussions between the Shire, the property owner and the Green Door have been very amicable and I believe that the office bearers understand that the Shire has no authority to waive requirements.
"The Building Act sets out occupancy requirements and limitations in the interests of public safety, to ensure buildings remain safe to occupy. The use of a building must be consistent with the use that the building has been constructed for. If the Green Door was allowed to continue trading in breach of the Building Act this would be a clear breach of the Building Act and would be a breach of statutory responsibility by the Shire.
"Also, if this wasn’t enforced by the Shire the public safety of patrons using the facility would be ignored and in the event of an incident causing injury or death severe penalties would be risked by the property owner, individual Green Door office bearers and Shire staff. The Government will often set standards via legislation for the purpose of ensuring public safety, and require local governments to enforce that legislation."
Owner Geoff Larksworthy said that the building was a shop, not a public venue, and it would be too costly to be able to bring it up to the standards required to make is a public facility.
Local drummer and regular Green Door attendee, Graham Johnson, said The Green Door was Bridgetown's music centre of the South West.
"This community hub has been a venue for young and old alike to show their musical talents. The comfortable decor allowed a place for folk to come along and listen to their friends to play and show off when on stage," Mr Johnson said.
"I find it really sad to see the rules and regulations imposed on our venue have stopped a group of people keen enough to care about the needs of others within their community. I want to say thanks to the hard working crew that made this venue a place to meet and greet, in a friendly and safe environment."
The Green Door held its final Wednesday night jam session last week, which was very well attended by the many musicians and supporters. A Grand Finale music night and fundraiser was also held last Saturday night.
"Our grand final party on Saturday night raised $600 for 'The Kids with Cancer', so we are really pleased and happy with the final chapter of this beaut shed," Mr Johnson said.
