With Omicron continuing to devastate live music, the NSW Government has stepped in to offer a financial lifeline to major events and festivals across the state that have been affected by the latest outbreak.
The funding comes as part of the NSW Government’s Event Saver Fund and is open to major events scheduled to be held between Wednesday 15 December 2021 and Saturday 31 December 2022.
The announcement states that “major event organisers will, from today, be able to pay suppliers, staff and recover other costs where an event is cancelled or significantly disrupted as a result of public health orders imposed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
READ MORE: Music Industry Enters ‘Most Challenging Phase Yet’ As Omicron Crisis Worsens
“Major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
“The Event Saver Fund will ensure that organisers aren’t left high and dry as we work through this latest phase of the pandemic and sends a strong signal that the Government is here to support business.”
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin added: “Major events provide tremendous social benefits to the community, bringing us together to enjoy live performances.
“As we look to rebound from the effects of the past two years, this funding will help support local jobs and ensure major event organisers can plan with confidence to safely deliver their events in 2022/23.”
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In response, the Australian Festival Association has said that the funding "has come just in time for organisers impacted by recent restrictions due to the current Omicron wave in NSW".
"It will go a long way to providing improved confidence for major festivals and events scheduled for 2022 and help relieve the financial burdens associated with cancellations," AFA Managing Director Julia Robinson said.
“Since the pandemic struck in March 2020, we’ve seen countless festivals cancel or postpone, leaving promoters and suppliers out of pocket. This fund will ensure organisers can recover some of their costs in the event their show cannot proceed due to a Public Health Order in 2022.
“Everyone from the crew to promoters and event staff want to get back to producing shows, and we know audiences want to see live music at festivals again. This fund demonstrates a shared aim with the NSW Government to see festivals and live music return to NSW as quickly and safely as possible."
The industry is still calling for a nationwide insurance schedule.
“The inability to insure against COVID-related cancellations and restrictions has been a huge barrier to festivals getting back to business across the country," Robinson said.
"We continue to call on the Commonwealth Government to step in and co-contribute to current state-based insurance and cancellation schemes to enable this nationally touring industry to get back to delivering shows to fans across Australia.
“We welcome today’s announcement and look forward to working with the NSW Government to achieve the shared aim of seeing live music back at festivals."
For more details on the Event Saver Fund, click here.
