Two Months in Leisure Some of the industry headlines over recent months. Daily industry news can be read at www.ausleisure.com.au
Music Victoria report cites challenges of unpaid performances, closed venues and bullying A newly released report from Music Victoria has revealed that the industry is facing major challenges as it emerges from the pandemic amid mounting business, cultural and capacity problems. The Music Victoria Priorities for the Victorian Music Industry white paper shows that less than half of the Victorian businesses licensed for live music performances in 2019 have so far renewed their licences for 2021/22 while the industry struggles with endemic harassment, bullying and low pay. The white paper seeks to build the global recognition of the live music sector, as a key driver of Victoria’s economic, cultural and social prosperity. The report painted a stark picture of working conditions for musicians, with one in four performances unpaid and contracts regularly broken without compensation. It found little diversity in the industry, with about three-quarters of performance opportunities filled by men, and a longstanding culture of bullying and harassment.
New Rottnest Island management plan to better service tourists Western Australia’s new Rottnest Island Management Plan 2023-2027 will replace the current plan which was due to expire in December 2024 and aims to offer improved services for tourists. Rottnest Island has seen significant renewal, receiving further funding for key infrastructure and development of visitor amenities in recent years. This has included more than $100 million for major upgrades to the Island’s energy and water networks, roads and jetties. 8 Australasian Leisure Management Issue 153
Australian Sports Commission drops Sport Australia brand Having been used less frequently over recent months, the Australian Sports Commission has announced that, as part of its new strategic vision, the Sport Australia brand is being retired. Launched in 2018, to focus on physical activity as part of the implementation of its Sport 2030 strategy, the Sport Australia title had caused confusion with its use being interchangeable with the Australian Sports Commission brand. The new strategic vision is titled ‘Our Green and Gold decade of opportunity’ with ASC Chief Executive Kieren Perkins noting that “any game plan in sport is only as good as the way in which you deliver it.” Having dropped the epithet Sport Australia, ASC aims to move forward as one integrated organisation incorporating both participation and high performance sport.
New Zealand expansion for Club Pilates and Planet Fitness Planet Fitness, Inc. has revealed that it is to expand into New Zealand, with the announcement of an Area Development Agreement with Castle Point Fitness NZ Ltd. Looking to open a minimum of 25 Planet Fitness locations in New Zealand over the next few years, Ray Miolla, Chief Development Officer at Planet Fitness, explained “our growing fleet of clubs in Australia is performing very well, and we believe we have the right local team in place to replicate this success in New Zealand and accelerate growth of our business in this region.” Castle Point is a joint venture between the founder of The Fresnel Companies, LLC, a USA-based investment firm and a private family office. Club Pilates is also to expand into New Zealand with the Australian master franchise operator of the world’s largest Pilates brand revealing plans for over 10 locations. Founded in 2007, Club Pilates is the largest Pilates brand and studio network worldwide with more than 700 studios across the globe, spanning eight countries. Club Pilates is owned by Xponential Fitness, Inc., the largest global franchisor of boutique fitness brands including Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLab, BFT, Rumble, Row House, YogaSix, AKT, and STRIDE.
www.ausleisure.com.au for all the latest industry news
