Planning Minister Keneally delivers for the cultural life of NSW

Yesterday NSW Planning Minister Kristina Keneally told councils across the state that they can no longer require development consent for small scale live entertainment in pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants.

Read the media release from NSW Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally - “Live entertainment coming to a bar near you”

Read the circular from the NSW Director General of Planning, Sam Haddad - “ Entertainment in pubs, bars, cafe’s and restaurants”

This is really fantastic news, and the minister should be well pleased knowing that amongst the many other issues that the portfolio has to deal with, that she will be making an amazing difference to the cultural life of the state by showing genuine leadership in a challenging area.

Anyone not aware of how culturally destructive to NSW the old laws were should read these article in todays herald:

Rhythm and booze as music returns to pubs
The PoPE is dead, long live the bands and comedians

If the council inspectors want to keep harassing bar owners for having live music and comedy, councils should instead be asked why they didn't  enforce the law fairly. Then, once all the large screens are regulated, they can get back to us.

Well done Planning Minister Kristina Keneally M.P.

Who said politicians aren't funky now!