Melbourne Council To Decide Fate Of Live Music Strategy

The strategy that will shape Melbourne's music scene in the next three years is expected to be passed by committee tonight, with the 2014 Melbourne Music Strategy hoping to sure up funding and policy reform for the industry.

In June 2013 a Music Strategy Advisory Committee [MAC] was established to review 2010's Music Strategy and develop a new plan for 2014 to 2017. While the 2010 strategy focused on audience development, the MAC say that the newer strategy looks at music funding, music development, music staging and regulatory reform.

The draft will go before the Future Melbourne Committee tonight, where council and industry insiders have told theMusic.com.au it should pass without opposition.

DOWNLOAD THE DRAFT COPY FOR TONIGHT'S AGENDA HERE

Today Melbourne Greens Councillor Rohan Leppert, Chair Of Arts & Culture, told theMusic, “A lot of work has gone into this document and I'm confident my fellow Councillors will see the benefit this has to the music industry and for the city.”

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If the plan – which features 18 action points across the themes of visibility, promotion, spaces and collaborations, funding, policy reform and research – is passed tonight the draft will be made available for public comment until May 30.

On an average Saturday night, 900 musicians, 740 DJs, 235 production staff and 2,700 venue staff are employed across Melbourne, according to the 2012 Live Music Census.

PRIORITY POINTS FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PLAN

- Boost connections with Tourism Victoria to build 'music capitol' reputation
- Push the 'agent of change' principle into the music noise legislation
- Allow venues and promoters to use City Of Melbourne marketing platforms
- Investigate busking festival for the city
- Develop 'industry toolkit'
- Cater grants to current industry trends

“The strategy outlines how we will continue to work with other forms of government and the music industry,” said Leppert, “to support issues including access to music, encouraging music creation, support for live music venues, business mentoring and promotion of Melbourne's music scene – all integral aspects of Melbourne's live music culture… So many Melburnians and visitors to Melbourne know and love our music scene and this strategy exists to ensure this continues into the future.”

In March this year Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle pledged $14 million to arts and events in 2014, but there has been no confirmation on what cut will go towards contemporary music – or the implantation of the Melbourne Music Strategy.

Councillor Leppert said that some of that funding would be seen in the music sector but did not provide a specific figure.

“The $14 million commitment to the arts is through Council's Arts and Culture portfolio, which does touch on music and music culture … This is an annual funding program for artists of all practices,” he said.

As part of the city's arts-wide funding applications for the 2015 Arts Grants opened this week, while applications for Melbourne Music Week 2014 will open in the coming days.

The strategy features a number of first year priorities to force outcomes and Leppert said, “We set the implementation plan as a yearly focus for the Music Strategy. I am confident that we can kick off the Music Strategy in 2014/15 and make sure Melbourne's music culture remains the best it can be.”

Melbourne's strategy arrives as Sydney has recently adopted a 57-point Live Music Action Plan that will be implemented over the next five years.