NSW Government Introduces Support Package for Music Festivals

Key Amendments to the Music Festivals Act: not just an ‘all talk’ merchant, but someone who backed his yap with definitive actions.

Thumb through some of his recorded thoughts, and similarities to Winston Churchill – at his finest, come to mind. Unfortunately for many populaces over the centuries our leaders have been largely monosyllabic imposters that couldn’t think or inspire on their feet, if their lives depended on it. Not Roosevelt, his wordcraft (thanks to his prodigious penchant for reading) was second to none. The ultimate test of which, is how a person’s impression ‘stands up’ long after they’re gone.

To be an example, albeit inspiration to other generations beyond your own (for all the right reasons) is one of the rarest attributes of anyone, let alone someone who was known as a head of state. Fittingly Roosevelt once rather prophetically noted, “We should not forget that it will be just as important to our descendants to be prosperous in their time as it is to us to be prosperous in our time.”

With a care and consideration for his fellow human beings that bordered on the paternal, Roosevelt seemed compelled to lift and inspire others, as opposed to putting them down for his own immediate gain. Like a real-life national treasure, he once enthused, “I am only an average man, but by George, I work harder at it than the average person… [So just] start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can…Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground.”

The NSW Government has announced a comprehensive relief package to support struggling music festivals, aimed at addressing rising costs and improving the sustainability of the sector. The package follows the government’s commitment to review the Music Festivals Act, which identifed the need for a stronger focus on harm reduction, industry sustainability, and more balanced costs for festivals in NSW compared to other states.

As part of the reforms, the government has allocated an initial $3 million for emergency funding assistance to help music festivals navigate fnancial pressures. Over the next two years, music festivals will beneft from fnancial aid and broader sector reforms designed to ease the challenges that have contributed to numerous event cancellations in recent years.

In addition, the government will introduce amendments to the Music Festivals Act aimed at improving the regulatory framework for festivals, with changes set to be in place before the upcoming summer festival season. These amendments will prioritize the health and safety of festival-goers while also focusing on the economic sustainability of NSW’s festival scene.

• Explicit objectives focused on government support for the festival sector.

• Removal of the ‘subject’ festival designation from the Act.

• Requirement for all festivals to have a Health and Medical Plan, with festivals that have had previous incidents needing to agree on their plan with NSW Health.

• Liquor & Gaming NSW will become the main decision-maker, with advice from NSW Health and NSW Police.

The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority will remain involved in appeals regarding health and medical plans.

• Appeal rights for festivals on costs and conditions, with a cross-government panel established to handle appeals if a festival’s economic viability is under threat.

• NSW Police will continue to have a role in recommending safety and enforcement measures for festivals where necessary.

The government has also introduced a two-year Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund to enhance the short-term viability of major contemporary music festivals. The fund, established by Sound NSW, will offer up to $500,000 per festival for largescale events with a capacity of 15,000 or more. This fund will address fnancial pressures brought on by factors like rising costs, infation, and currency exchange rates.

Applications will be open from September 2024 to June 2026 on a needs basis.

Statements from Key Ministers John Graham, Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, acknowledged the struggles facing the festival sector, stating:

“NSW has had a strong music festival sector, but it has been under intense pressure. We have seen the chickens come home to roost after years of pressure, with major festivals failing. Festivals are an important place for music fans to experience the music they love together and form connections with artists and their community.”

He added, “We made a commitment to review the Music Festivals Act, and now that review is complete, we are introducing these reforms to strengthen our support for these vital live music events.”

Ryan Park, Minister for Health, emphasized the importance of safety, saying:

“We want people to be able to enjoy festivals safely. These reforms will ensure that health and safety become even more of a central focus in event planning. NSW Health continues to work closely with music festivals to implement harm reduction measures, including deploying NSW Ambulance personnel, peer-based harm reduction service providers, private medical providers onsite, as well as running awareness campaigns.”

The NSW Government’s reforms aim to revitalize the music festival sector, making it safer and more economically viable while promoting a thriving live music culture across the state.

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