Yarra City Council highlights fears that local live music scene may no longer be viable

Yarra City Council has lodged its submission to the Parliament of Australia Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

Advising that the city of Yarra is a vibrant, inner-city municipality and that its local live music scene is a large part of its cultural fabric and economy, the Council said in a statement “live music venues are facing increasing rents, cost of living pressures, and are finding it difficult to obtain public liability insurance, with those able to secure insurance facing significant rises to their existing premiums - as much as 800%.”

The Council statement advised that small to medium live music venues are being impacted to the point that running their businesses may no longer be viable, with one venue closing its doors after 14 years.

At its March meeting, Council resolved to work collaboratively with Music Victoria and the Australian Live Music Business Council to find solutions to the issue of insurance and its impact on the live music industry.

It advised “Yarra City Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of a new grants program, providing our thriving local industry with a much-needed boost.”

The Live Music Festivals and 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund will provide $10 million to deliver gigs at live music venues and support local music festivals and artists.

Click here to read Yarra City Council’s submission to the Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

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