NSW Labor pledges $103 million in backing for state’s contemporary music scene if elected

NSW Labor has committed to bring back lost music venues and repair damage to the live entertainment sector as part of a $103 million pledge in advance of the upcoming state election.

Amid a range of funding promises made by the major parties ahead of the NSW state election on 25th March, the announcement from Labor was made this week, supported by top NSW artists Ngaiire, William Crighton, Charlie Collins and KLP.

Following a united call by more than 30 music industry organisations and leaders last week for the development of all aspects of music in NSW, Labor has pledged to establish Sound NSW, a new body within Create NSW to work with industry and support the ongoing development of contemporary music in the state, modelled on Screen NSW and with its own board.

Sound NSW will be charged with the development and delivery of a 10-year contemporary music strategy for the first time in the state's history.

With Sound NSW to be tasked with developing its own strategies, it will be expected to focus on First Nations music as well as on rebuilding skills across the music sector, including of managers, technical and production workers.

Labor’s plan for bringing back lost venues includes a commitment to dramatically strengthen planning provisions to protect existing venues and produce new venues allowing longer trading hours and lower licence fees for music venues.

If elected, NSW Labor would also establish a Cultural SEPP which would give councils the power to change rules to support music venues in their local area, including rules around trading hours, outdoor performance and planning and sound regulations.

It will also examine expanding the heritage air space scheme which has operated successfully to save key theatre venues in Sydney, and apply it to other areas of Sydney and to save and develop music venues while it will provide funding of up to $250,000 to consider the need and develop a business case for permanent outdoor festival and concert infrastructure, in four locations - central Sydney, Parramatta, western Sydney and regional NSW.

Commenting on its plans, NSW Labor Leader, Chris Minns stated “NSW Labor has a comprehensive plan to support our creative industries.

“We want to set up our state for the long term, backing the jobs of the future in our creative sectors.”

Support for sporting organisations
NSW Labor has also announced that, if elected, they will increase organisation support funding for state sporting organisations.

Seemingly endorsing Sport NSW’s ‘Playing Catch Up Report’, which sought an increase from the current level of funding, a level that has not changed since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Labor has agreed to step up funding from $2.55 million to $5 million in 2023/24 and $10 million per year in the years after as a part of multi-year agreements.

Image: Sydney music venue the Oxford Art Factory.