Central Coast Labor MPs were joined by Member of the Legislative Council, Mr John Graham, and Music NSW, in hosting a Roundtable for the local music industry.
Attendees included local Councillors, local artists, event organisers, and representatives from a range of venues that host live music. The Central Coast has a vibrant live music industry with award-winning individuals, successful festivals and dynamic local associations and groups.
The roundtable’s purpose was to identify ways to support and enhance the growth of both artists and events. The main issues raised by stakeholders were around regulation and poor communication and planning by different levels of Government. The consensus was that State and Local Government need to do more to simplify the rules and regulations around live music and to promote local events.
Other issues raised were venues, and events that cater to Under 18s, and the need for a Council level consultative body to ensure local policy formation is best practice. Member for Wyong, Mr David Harris, thanked all those who attended the roundtable and plans to reconvene the group in the future and to attempt to set up a Council Consultative committee. There is currently an inquiry in the NSW upper house into live music. The feedback from this process will be taken by Mr John Graham to the inquiry.
“Music is an important part of our lives and our culture, it’s insane that we have no Council level body to advise on issues that affect the industry. “Poor use of regulation and a web of confusion is restricting the local music scene and depriving artists of opportunities to perform locally. “We need to get the industry involved in the policy-making to ensure that we get it right and have a vibrant local music industry,” Mr Harris said.
Source: Media release, Apr 24 Zachary Harrison, Office of David Harris MP