South Australia sets benchmark for live music

Image: Radio Spectacular at Rocket Bar, Adelaide

PRESS RELEASE:

The word innovation gets used a lot these days, but rarely if ever has it been more applicable in the live music, performance, and creative industries sphere than the Change@SA 90-Day Streamlining Live Music Regulation Project announced by South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Martin Haese.

To understand just how significant the Change@SA 90-Day Streamlining Live Music Regulation Project really is, it needs to be seen in the context of this year’s state variations to the 2016 National Construction Code (NCC) – including the introduction of the small arts venue regulation that dramatically reduces cost and red tape (a national first) – as well as to recent and proposed reforms to the liquor licensing framework.

The first Streamlining Live Music Regulation Project announcement, a commitment for low impact live entertainment to be classified exempt development under planning regulations, sets a mighty second national precedent in what collectively is a live music and creative industries innovation powerhouse.

Download the Streamlining Live Music Regulation Report from the South Australian Music Development Office Website

Not only does this package chain-saw through red tape for  state regulations across liquor, planning, EPA and the National Construction Code, but – crucially – also coordinates local government process and support with Adelaide City Council.

Following an industry roundtable to identify cumbersome regulations holding back the music industry, State and Local Government will move to:

• Amend development regulations to allow ‘low risk’ live music in licensed and unlicensed venues, allowing non-traditional venues such as coffee shops to host live music without approvals
• Remove archaic conditions relating to genre or specific musical instruments
• Establish a case management program to support venues wanting to host live music
• Create a grants program to help alleviate the cost of acoustic engineer reports needed by live music venues
• Deliver advisory notices to councils to guide them when making live music related assessments
• Implement further reforms aimed at reducing costs on businesses and local government when acoustic assessments are required.

“A vibrant city needs a thriving live music scene, and these changes significantly cut red tape, making it cheaper and easier for venues to host live music”

Premier Jay Weatherill:

“The outcomes from the project, including Council’s provision of a case management service for venues seeking to provide live music, helps Council to provide the best possible support and opportunity to our live music venues and musicians. In addition, live music venues will be further supported by Council’s Live Music Action Plan”

Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Martin Haese:

“Anything that removes barriers for venues hosting live music and encourages opportunities for more live music is good for the venue, the band or artists, the audience and also benefits the SA economy”