Melbourne, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, a large majority of buskers are discontent with the three-month trial ban of amplified/speaker busking on Swanston Street that is scheduled to begin August 1st. 

Many of us believe that it is completely unnecessary and that the busking scene in Melbourne (which is among the best in the world) could be destroyed as a result. We also feel that in light of City background noise (trams, maintenance facilities etc.) that most busking requires amplification. 

This is the unfair part - The City of Melbourne have received 264 complaints in approximately 3 and a half years. That is just under two complaints a week. Two complaints a week due to amplified busking is nowhere near enough to warrant intervention.

Every day almost hundreds of thousands of commuters study/work in Melbourne CBD. This means that all the other citizens can either completely ignore the "loud" busking or... they enjoy it! 

My name is Andrew Demetriou, I'm 18, freshly graduated and currently trying to earn a living. I busk for money, but I really really enjoy playing my music for people who appreciate it. I do covers of popular songs with tenor saxophone and backing tracks from a speaker. In two hours on a good day, I can make anywhere between $100-$150. The most I have ever made busking without tracks is $30 over two hours. This is not enough when busking is my only source of income. Swanston Street is in my opinion, the best place to busk. There are always more people walking but the sidewalks are wide which prevents busking obstructions. 

Directly to our Lord Mayor: I understand you are a busy man with a demanding job which is why we buskers (and fans) have fabricated an idea that could help resolve the issue for all parties.

Our idea: Personally I was not asked to "audition" for my busking permit. I was told the rules and allowed to busk straight away. Therefore, we thought that an "Amplification Permit" can be issued to buskers.

This permit would basically qualify the bearer to perform with amplification, only when they have been fully auditioned and are deemed quiet enough.

Ideally through this petition, we would like things to remain the way they are. If that is not possible however, then the buskers of Melbourne would be happy to audition for an "Amplification Permit" as a compromise.

Thank you for your time Lord Mayor, we want our street back! Sign up everyone.