Music Action Plan recommendations to be presented to City of Gold Coast

Cutting red tape for live music venues, more gigs in industrial areas, increased volume in some areas, schemes to support local musicians to ensure they have the right skills in this age of digital disruption, and new planning overlays across nine precincts.

These are some of the recommendations that the City of Gold Coast will consider this month as part of its Live Music Plan 2017-2020 to be seen as a live music-friendly place and to strengthen its local music sector.

However, The Gold Coast Live Music Industry Development and Taskforce Report states “there are other over-arching issues around live music that need to be considered, such as audience and consumer research; along with an economic impact study of lost live music opportunities.”

The Taskforce also emphasised that for the plan to be effective, the Gold Coast should have proper planning policies, and a unit within the Gold Coast council to be dedicated to live music.

It also urges the council to use the 2018 Commonwealth Games as a short term test for some of these ideas.

It says, “Notwithstanding current planning regulations, the Games falls under the Major Events Act which supersedes local law. Council should seize this opportunity  to ensure local  liv  music is front and centre  of the community celebrations associated with GC2018 and embedded  in the official Festival 2018 arts and culture program.” 

The idea of the Action Plan started when the City realised that many of its events including the Broadbeach blues and country music festivals, as well as Bleach festival, were adding to tourism and economic additions.

Adding to the appeal were the Gold Coast Music Awards, as well as Griffith University’s Popular Music degree and particularly the related SEED program. 

A Live Music Venue Audit snapshot of venues in November 2016 showed that 634 gigs were presented across the City of Gold Coast, and 56 venues hosted live music. 

But only two were dedicated to original live music, with 46 venues offering cover bands or a mix of cover and original acts. So with only 9% of venues offering original live music, there was a case to help musicians take their craft intestate or abroad.

As the sixth largest city in Australia, the City of Gold Coast was also aware that NSW, SA, Tasmania, Victoria and WA all have a Contemporary Music Strategic Plan and SA and Victoria have a Music Development Hub.

A taskforce was set up under the chairmanship of Gold Coast Tourism Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Dean Gould.

It included representatives from council, planners, designers, police, Liquor and Gaming staff, arts and culture executives, as well as John Wardle of the Live Music Office and QMusic CEO Joel Edmondson.