Live Performance Australia (LPA) welcomes the financial support package for music festivals announced today by the NSW Government in conjunction with its review of music festival regulations.
LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson said: ‘Music festivals are major drivers of employment and economic activity across the live music industry as well as tourism, hospitality, transport and event management services, particularly in regional areas.
‘Festivals are currently dealing with a range of financial and operating challenges, some of which are short term or transitional in their nature.
‘The Government’s proposed support package to be delivered by Sound NSW should provide the right level of support for our major festivals to help them navigate through some of the current challenges and get back onto a sound footing for the future,’ Ms Richardson said.
The proposed regulatory changes to the Music Festival Act include some welcome improvements and appear to be heading in the right direction to reinvigorating the State’s music festival industry.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Government’s proposed changes will go far enough in removing the regulatory and cost deadweight that has been imposed on music festivals over recent years. LPA has previously called for the Music Festivals Act to be scrapped entirely.
‘One of the biggest cost imposts which is within the control of the NSW Government are the user pays policing charges which are disproportionate to other states and territories. It’s not yet clear how the proposed changes will bring about real change in this area.
‘Minister Graham has delivered on his pledge to review the Music Festivals Act which was introduced by the previous Coalition Government. We look forward to seeing further detail on the proposed changes when the legislation is introduced to the NSW Parliament shortly.
‘We acknowledge Minister Graham’s long-standing commitment to delivering better outcomes for music festivals in NSW. A successful music festival industry is not just good for NSW, but it’s also vital for the Australian live music industry as a whole,’ Ms Richardson said.
More information on the Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund is available from Sound NSW.
