How loud is too loud? That's the question, currently facing Christchurch residents.
Noise restrictions in the CBD are out of date and the city council is seeking feedback on new ones, and nightclubs are hoping it will provide them with some certainty.
Flux is one of Christchurch's most popular venues, home to high-tempo and heavy bass music on the weekend.
However, it's also home to a growing number of neighbouring residents.
"I don't like to use the word issues, but there's definitely been moments where we've had to enter consultation with our neighbours," Flux owner Zak Cooper said.
Christchurch has a goal of having 20,000 people living centrally, by the year 2028.
But with high-density housing springing up left, right and centre, a mix of noise and neighbours, is a concern.
"We've got settings in place to allow nighttime activity in certain parts of the city, but they don't currently factor in where a lot of these live music venues exist currently," Christchurch City Councilor, Andrei Moore said.
"At the moment, every year we sign a lease we don't know if we'll be able to fulfil it," Cooper added. "We don't know if we'll be paying for a place we can't operate in its entirety."
Dux Central was forced to scale back its live music offerings last year due to a complaint from one of their new neighbours.
"Worst case scenario is the current settings allow someone to move in next door, and make a complaint on the first night," Moore said.
"Venues can be given orders and fines, and that's really not going to be useful in allowing businesses to survive."
"People move into the central city knowing what they're moving into, it seems somewhat surprising when people then make complaints about it," Christchurch City Resident Simone Rewa-Pearson said.
The City Council has opened public consultation on the matter, with survey results to be reflected, in the 2025 District Plan.
With the new stadium Te Kaha, being built in the central city, just two-and-a-half years away from opening, there's a sense of urgency to bring the city's noise rules up to date.
"We all agreed we want a vibrant central city," Pearson said. "It's just about how we set out to do that, and what measures we put in place to protect the quiet amenity that residents want as well," Pearson said.
She said there is always a balance to "be struck".
"There's no bad guys here, I think the council have had a hua of a job," Cooper said.
"It's a plan change that needs to happen and the fact the council actually know this for the first time it seems, all across the board, it means they're all going to be doing something about it,"
Optimism that businesses can keep doing business, in the central business district.
