Sydney Embraces 57 Plans To Save Live Music Scene

Sydney's live music scene is set to get massive council support in the coming months and years as all 57 recommendations of a live music action plan were endorsed by committee yesterday.

The report was tabled last November by the Sydney Live Music Taskforce and the first of the 57 recommendations were passed in December. Last night the Cultural & Community Committee considered the remaining recommendations, with the whole package unanimously endorsed.

The report will move to council next week, which council insiders tells theMusic.com.au is a formality before work begins on reviving Sydney's live scene.

Implemented effectively, the recommendations could prove the basis of a five-year live music platform for Sydney.

"Sydney's music industry is at a tipping point and this is urgent"

Lord Mayor Clover Moore told theMusic today that she is confident the recommendations will pass council.

"We're already working to open our Town Halls and community centres so that young people have space to practice. Soon we'll be changing parking restrictions to make sure musicians can get their gear in and out of venues more easily," she said.

"We'll be developing a process to help artists hold performances in non-traditional spaces. And we'll be working with the NSW and Australian Governments to make changes to licensing laws, funding, and visa restrictions on visiting artists."

Today Labor Councillor Linda Scott, who has been supporting of live music through the Labor Loves Live Music, campaign told theMusic.com.au that last night's result was “very exciting”.

“The live music taskforce have done a brilliant job of laying out a road map for creating a more musical city,” she said.

Councillor Scott said that securing funding for the recommendations was key and her eyes were now on the 2014/15 budget, to be released May.

“Only a combination of the recommendations will create an environment where [live music] is sustainable,” she said. “Sydney's music industry is at a tipping point and this is urgent.”

Live music campaigner and co-Director of the National Live Music office John Wardle was instrumental in the development of the taskforce's report and told theMusic today, “From here the Live Music Strategy Advisor position will commence in weeks ahead and that role will have carriage of the five-year plan for live music in the City Of Sydney.

"It faces the toughest challenges that the small and medium size performance sector faces head on."

"The scope of the plan is significant. It addresses the toughest challenges that the small and medium size performance sector faces head on.”

He added, “The live music sector faces some major challenges for future sustainability, but changes to liquor and PoPE laws have shown that with the right combination of policies, tangible differences to artists lives can be made.

“We've done the best we can to prepare a way for a better future across the many facets, scenes, venues and genres that is the City Of Sydney live music and performance ecosystem.”

Updated 2.10pm with quotes from Lord Mayor Clover Moore

The Key Recommendations

- Appointment of a live music liaison officer to cut red tape
- Protect areas with live music history
- Easier approval process for small, low-risk events
- Advice on noise issues before reactionary punishments
- Grant program for venues wanting to hold all ages events
- Make unused hotel spaces available for music rehearsals
- Establishment of a new major Sydney outdoor event space
- Advocate for musicians and performers to be included in affordable housing schemes
- Easing of visa restrictions to allow more musicians to play Sydney

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE