Staging a comeback

Venues on the Central Coast including Link & Pin, Drifters Wharf, the Fun Haus Factory, Pocket Bar and the Beachcomber Hotel are among over 108 across the state that have signed up for extended trading hours to host live music since the 2023 election.

17 April 2024

 

IN MARCH 2023, there were only 133 licensed live music venues claiming incentives from the NSW Government for extended trading hours to host live music. The latest data from Liquor and Gaming NSW shows that today there are 245 – an 84 per cent increase in a year.

 

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said “It’s fantastic to see that some of our most popular venues, including Drifters Wharf, the Fun Haus Factory and Link & Pin have signed up to benefit from the Vibrancy changes – and in doing so open up new opportunities for locals to soak up our local sounds – and provide jobs for our musicians and creatives.

 

“More entertainment options are greatly welcome in Central Coast, and if this is just the start of what these reforms can deliver, then I’m excited to see what the continued roll-out will bring over the year.

 

“The NSW Government is committed to reviving the live music industry by providing support to grow venues bold visions for a vibrant arts and culture landscape across the Central Coast."

 

The first round of the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms, which passed Parliament in November, provide direct support to venue operators to launch and grow local music, with a cost relief focus that includes an 80 per cent reduction in the annual liquor licence fee.

 

Streamlined approval processes for licences and a commonsense approach to noise complaints is providing businesses in the sector with the certainty and confidence they need to invest again in hosting performance, trading later and hiring more staff.

 

Link & Pin owner, Adam Brzozowski said "The NSW Government's vibrancy reforms are certainly more user-friendly for live music venues such as ours.

 

“Later trading for example means we are better placed to broaden our programming scope, to bring even more diverse late-night live music line-ups to the Central Coast, as well as providing a place for relaxing, late-night, post-gig chats.

 

“We are definitely considering how we will utilise the extended trading hours. This is a government that is showing support for the live music scene and it is far more user-friendly from our perspective.”

 

Under the former government, there were seven agencies that dealt with noise complaints, allowing a single neighbour to campaign to close a venue. The reforms are streamlining the process by making Liquor and Gaming NSW the lead agency in managing noise complaints about licensed venues.

 

Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said “Under the former government we nearly saw the day the music died in NSW.

 

“We knew we had to change the rules to resuscitate the live music scene and it is pleasing to see the industry has responded immediately.

 

“In 2024 we are seeing more shows, more jobs for musicians and creatives and more work in the hospitality sector due to extended trading."

 

Venues approved under the new reforms as a live music venue with Liquor and Gaming NSW can trade for an extra two hours on nights when they provide live entertainment for at least 45 minutes after 8pm.

 

Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris said “Music venues can’t wait to get on the road again with these reforms.

 

“It’s exciting to see such a large take-up of the opportunity for extended trading hours in exchange for hosting live music under the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms.

 

“Our reforms are about slashing red tape and streamlining processes to enable businesses to deliver an expanded range of experiences for their patrons and the results speak for themselves.”

 

To find out more about the Vibrancy Reforms visit here.