Media release: Landmark Win for The Night Cat Against Developer Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2025
 

THE NIGHT CAT WINS IN COURT - BUT CALLS FOR STRONGER PROTECTION OF LIVE MUSIC VENUES

Melbourne, Victoria - Beloved Fitzroy live music institution The Night Cat has won an important battle in its fight for survival, after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) yesterday cancelled temporary orders threatening its operations.

The case was brought by a developer against The Night Cat for allegedly breaching its planning permit. However, after the venue submitted an independent acoustic report proving it is operating fully within permit conditions, the developer agreed to cancel the orders.

The cancellation means The Night Cat is now, under law, treated the same as any other venue in relation to noise emissions. "This is a huge relief for our staff, our artists, and our community," said Justin Stanford, owner of The Night Cat.

"The community saved us from closure, raising more than $78,000 through donations and benefit gigs. Yesterday's result proves we were doing the right thing all along."

The venue's victory comes after weeks of pressure, during which City of Yarra's counsel sought a series of unreasonable concessions - all of which were denied. These included the power to return the matter to VCAT at any point if noise complaints were raised in the future.

Despite this win, Stanford says the case exposes serious flaws in the current Agent of Change legislation, which is meant to protect live music venues from conflicts with new developments.

"This fight has shown that venues like The Night Cat are still vulnerable. Agent of Change must be strengthened if Melbourne's music culture is to survive."

For over 30 years, The Night Cat has been at the heart of Fitzroy's live music scene, hosting artists including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Amyl & The Sniffers, Charli XCX, Sampa The Great, The Teskey Brothers, ?uestlove, and countless others.

The venue says it will continue to advocate for stronger protections, ensuring Melbourne remains the live music capital of Australia.

MEDIA CONTACT (for interviews and more information):
Erin Jameson | erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com | +61 419 323 663

Justin Stanford, owner of The Night Cat, outside VCAT yesterday.