Code heralds a new era for street performers

By SUZANNE BROWN

Lunchtime in Bourke Street has become such a busy, noisy affair that the Melbourne City Council has introduced a code of conduct for buskers, and banned performances between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Traders have complained of excessive noise and the Public Transport Union is concerned that trams are passing dangerously close to crowds watching buskers.

The code of conduct stipulates when and where buskers can perform. Performers who use amplifiers can play for only 20 minutes, and must break for 20 minutes. It requires performers to control their crowds and the noise level, to keep footpaths and store entrances clear and to cooperate with each other rather than compete for an audience.

The code will be tested in Bourke Street mall for three months and, if successful, will apply to other street performing areas such as Southgate and the Queen Victoria Market.

Mr William Sagar, 39, who makes animal shapes out of balloons and has been busking for 12 years, said the code of conduct was a positive move by the council which had sided too heavily with traders in the past.

"We're all getting along better now, although space requirements have made it difficult to do circle acts (in the mall) because of the large crowds," he said.

Musical guitar duo, Mr Juan Martinez, 30, and Mr Peter Dickson, 36, who have played their Spanish music in Bourke Street mall for 10 years, said it was unfair buskers were banned during lunchtime.

"We bring people to the mall. Every time we travel interstate, people say they have seen us here. We've put Bourke Street mall on the map," Mr Martinez said.

The duo recently moved to the other side of the mall because of complaints from traders. Ms Kate Parker, manager of Halftix ticket booth, said they were unbearably loud.

"It was like being at a rock concert . . . we're trapped with the same music five days a week. It's very stressful to work with and gives you a headache," Ms Parker said.

Published by The Age Online Pty Ltd ACN 069 962 885
©1998 David Syme & Co Ltd