Following a string of noise complaints, the City of Melbourne will introduce a three-month ban on amplified busking on Swanston Street.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the council hoped making Swanston St from Flinders Lane to La Trobe Street a non-amplified busking zone would cut the number of noise complaints.
However Melbourne busker Des Kennedy feared the situation could become more permanent and widespread. He organised a silent protest of about 60 angry buskers outside the Melbourne Town Hall, saying the ban would kill buskers' income.
Following a string of noise complaints, the City of Melbourne will introduce a three-month ban on amplified busking on Swanston Street.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the council hoped making Swanston St from Flinders Lane to La Trobe Street a non-amplified busking zone would cut the number of noise complaints.
However Melbourne busker Des Kennedy feared the situation could become more permanent and widespread. He organised a silent protest of about 60 angry buskers outside the Melbourne Town Hall, saying the ban would kill buskers' income.
Buskers have started a petition urging an end to the ban. They say: “This is not just for us buskers, this is for the future of Melbourne's street life.”
Like the article? Subscribe to Green Left now! You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.