In what appears to be a swift response to a petition demanding an end to noise pollution in the Canggu area, local authorities announced that the party must stop by 1am at entertainment establishments such as beach clubs.
The Bali Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) earlier today held a discussion with stakeholders addressing a petition titled End Extreme Noise in Canggu, which, per this article’s publication, has almost reached 8,000 signatures out of its target of 7,500.
The meeting resulted in the passing of several regulations for clubs and bars in the area that’s popular amongst sunseekers, influencers, and digital nomads.
“First, the decibel limit for outdoor areas is at 70 dB. Second, the maximum operational hours is until 1am – this is for cafes and others,” Bali Satpol PP Chief I Dewa Nyoman Dharmadi said in Denpasar.
Dharmadi went on to say that, based on field observations, the noise from beach clubs in Canggu (including Berawa, which technically is in Tibubeneng but still colloquially known as part of Canggu) in the evenings could reach 82-85 dB.
He added that he expected clubs to follow the rules, saying that “[law] enforcement is the last step if there are businesses that still violate the regulations or pretend that they do not know.”
Commenters on the petition lamented “booming sounds” and “fireworks” from beach clubs in the area. Some commenters alleged that the ruckus would last until 4am, but some residents who have spoken to Coconuts Bali say it would last until 2am.
A representative of Finns Beach Club, an outdoor entertainment establishment at Berawa beach, said that the rules change nothing for them as they always close at 1am.
“From the start, we have calculated what we could do and enforced limits. We will not act selfishly in doing business. We will pay attention to our surroundings,” Finns Beach Club’s facility director I Wayan Wirawan said after the meeting.
Some commenters in the petition took aim at another beach club, the newly opened Atlas Beach Fest (formerly Holywings Bali), as a contributor to the “booming sounds.”
Atlas Beach Fest’s public relations officer Alwine told Coconuts Bali that the beach club “appreciate the decision from Satpol PP and respect their policy.”
“We always respect and value the regulations on operational hours. As for cooperation and agreements with the government, we will always comply,” she said.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno previously said that he would visit Canggu this week to ensure that the central government will be “present” amid complaints from the community.
Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, the head of Bali’s Tourism Agency, told Coconuts Bali separately that he hoped all stakeholders would follow the regulations in order to ensure Bali’s reputation as a “happy destination for all.”
UPDATE: This article has been updated by adding a comment from Atlas Beach Fest.
