No Decision Made On Melbourne Music Reforms, Says Government

The Victorian Planning Minister has confirmed that “no decision has been made” regarding live music reforms today, hosing down industry excitement following an announcement this morning.

The State Premier's office today announced 36 reforms to cut red tape, one of which was aimed at helping small music venues. But exact details of how the reform will help live music were not disclosed and Planning Minister Matthew Guy confirmed to theMusic.com.au that the government have not decided exactly how they will help venues.

MUSIC REFORM ON THE HORIZON

• “No decision has be made”, says Planning Minister
• Clause which 'discriminates' against live music will be looked at
• Victorian Government pledges to save live venues, again

“These matters are currently being discussed by government and no decision has been made,” he said. “The government's aims though are to protect live music venues in our inner city areas.”

Acting Premier Peter Ryan's announcement followed on from comments made by Minister Guy in parliament last year, as reported in theMusic.com.au, where he vowed to support live venues. Guy's comments came after SLAM co-founder Helen Marcou wrote an opinion piece for theMusic, warning of an imminent crisis.

“We will find a way to give certainty to that industry and to that section of the population that enjoys what is one of Melbourne's greatest tourism and cultural assets,” the Minister said at the time. “We will do this because no other government in Victoria has had the guts to do this.”

One of the 36 reforms, which cover a number of industries, outlined today aims to “Simplify and reduce planning approval for change of land use for small venues seeking to host live music” in regards to the Victorian Building Code's 9(b) classification.

Under the current code if more 10 percent of a venue's space is used for entertainment, such as a musician playing in a corner, a clause in the code is trigger to re-classify the building from a category 6 hotel to an 'assembly' under category 9(b). The re-classification places it alongside airports, schools and stadiums and the expensive safety measures that accompany them.

“The hospitality sector will see the removal of an unnecessary regulation that requires liquor licensees to apply for approval to hold alcohol-free underage concerts on licensed premises, while other processes, including those around hosting live music, will be simplified,” Ryan said today.

With the reforms still at the discussion level, it is unclear if the reform plans to direct live venues into class 6 or alter the 9(b) regulations. The decision will likely be critical in whether any real benefits for the live scene are generated.

It is understood that a previous submission to the Victorian Building Commission to change the clause pushing live venues into the 9(b) class had been knocked back. While there was a belief that the regulation was not often policed, it remains a devastatingly unattractive hurdle for would-be investors in and current owners of live music venues.

Today's reforms also include a provision for all age gigs, as was announced by Liquor & Gaming Minister Edward O'Donohue at the Music Victoria Awards in November.

“Currently licensees must obtain approval to hold alcohol free underage and mix-aged live music events on licensed premises,” it reads. “This reform will remove that requirement.”

Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan nonetheless welcomed today's promise of change, saying “these reforms will ensure a more vibrant future for artists, venues, and the music loving public.”

He added, “Music Victoria has made a number of submissions through the Live Music Roundtable on all ages gigs, the building code of Australia, the planning system and the environment protection system, to remove regulatory burden and support the live music scene. [We welcome] the Government's initiative to remove onerous requirements in the building code which discriminate against live music.”

Victoria's Live Music Roundtable, born out of the SLAM Rally and comprised of representatives from the music industry, government and police, will likely be consulted on the details of these reforms throughout 2014.