Live Music and Theatre big winners

The neglected NSW Live Music scene is set to be a major beneficiary of forthcoming liquor laws alongside theatre and comedy venues.

In a significant win for developing cultural industries in NSW and for a previous and robust campaign that saw 450 of 900 submissions on the Liquor Bill 2005 related to live music in NSW, new liquor laws for the state will include:

• An affordable on-premises licence to be available to operate live music and public entertainment venues – where alcohol is provided to patrons with entertainment.  This will replace the current theatre and $60,000 nightclub licences.

• All persons who have functions under the new liquor laws will be required to have regard to the objects, which include: To contribute to the responsible development of related industries such as the live music, entertainment, tourism and hospitality industries.

• An informal noise complaints process will replace a previously unbalanced procedure and will increase flexibility for venues and residents to discuss and settle problems in a considerate and conciliatory manner.

With Frank Sartor recently launching simpler planning approvals for live entertainment, we might actually have some kind of a vibrant culture allowed here that doesn't have to rely on screens.

It will be most interesting to hear if the Coalition and Upper House Independents have anything to say about the performing arts aspects of liquor reform when the Bill is debated in the weeks ahead.