APRA AMCOS welcomes latest reforms in NSW, SA and ACT
Special Entertainment Precincts (SEPs) have proven their power to reinvigorate city centres
A game-changing revival of live music is gradually sweeping across Australia, with Entertainment Precincts at the heart of a nationwide transformation.
APRA AMCOS welcomes the latest reforms in New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory as key milestones in this cultural renewal.
Since the creation of the first Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, where live music venues have doubled, the concept has proven its power to reinvigorate city centres.
The NSW Government followed by passing a generation of regulatory changes in 2020 in close consultation with APRA AMCOS and its Live Music Office. These changes included the provision for establishing Special Entertainment Precincts and was described by Forbes Magazine as a “bonfire of live music rules” capable of saving the industry from the pandemic's devastating impacts.
It set the stage for a broader national movement and now proposals to establish precincts in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra, joining Perth, Brisbane and across regional Queensland, which are set to expand the benefits, ensuring vibrant city hubs where music, creativity and community thrive.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, says: “These reforms are breathing new life into Australian cities, making them places where live music can flourish, and cultural and economic vitality go hand in hand. It’s exciting to see governments recognising the role music plays in transforming urban spaces into dynamic cultural hubs.
"APRA AMCOS has long advocated for such reforms of streamlining regulations and creating a more supportive environment for live music, particularly through SEPs. These latest reforms in these states and territory are an important continuation of this work and represents a major step forward in creating vibrant neighbourhoods where culture and nightlife can thrive.
“All we need now is a broad-based tax rebate scheme from the Commonwealth to provide a real catalyst to revive live music.’”
Brisbane-based band, Ball Park Music, add: “Three fifths of the band come from the Northern Rivers in NSW and it's safe to say when we moved to the big smoke of Brisbane to pursue a career in music, the opportunities seemed endless in comparison to what we'd known growing up. It made us feel inspired, it made us feel like we could open doors and at the very least, find a stage to hone our craft and express ourselves through our art.
“We've been around long enough to see so many changes to our entertainment precinct and at times, it was looking pretty grim. Without a doubt, the efforts by the QLD Government to make the Valley a dedicated entertainment precinct has absolutely breathed new life back into the area and I'm sure more young kids that have stars in their eyes just as we did many years ago will gravitate towards this place of opportunity to ensure that the rich history of Brisbane music can flourish and remain as strong as ever.”
New South Wales
The Minns Labor Government’s second tranche of Vibrancy Reforms, passed in October, continues NSW’s leading work nationally in reducing regulatory constraints on live music venues, providing new opportunities to expand cultural vibrancy in Sydney’s CBD and beyond. Key initiatives include:
- City of Sydney Special Entertainment Precincts Designation: Transforming existing late-night trading zones in the CBD into Special Entertainment Precincts with flexible sound management tailored to live music.
- Continued Extended Liquor Trading Hours and Fee Reductions: Venues offering live performances can extend trading hours by up to two hours and receive an 80% discount on liquor licensing fees, supporting the growth of live music across the city.
- Removing Outdated Live Music Conditions from Venue Development Approvals: Many venues have had onerous and outdated live music restrictions of development approvals. Having removed these conditions from liquor licenses in 2020, this reform clears the way for many restricted businesses to now present a lot more music.
NSW-based singer/songwriter, Julia Stone, comments: “These new regulations might spark a comeback. It might open things up for more intimate music events and hopefully provide more stages for the Australian voices and stories to be heard. More than ever, artists need spaces to share stories and express themselves.”
South Australia
Following a campaign to preserve Adelaide’s iconic Crown and Anchor Hotel, the South Australian Government enacted the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Designated Live Music Venues and Protection of Crown and Anchor Hotel) Amendment Bill 2024. This legislation aims to safeguard Adelaide’s live music scene by:
- Noise Mitigation for New Developments: Requiring new residential buildings within 60 metres of live music venues to include noise attenuation measures.
- Venue Protection: Establishing designated live music areas in the CBD, shielding key venues from future noise complaints.
- Legislative Council Inquiry: Initiating a Select Committee to assess the impact of recent venue closures and evaluate the contributions of live music venues to the cultural and economic landscape of South Australia.
Australian Capital Territory
In August, the ACT Government introduced the City Centre Entertainment Precinct (CCEP) as part of its efforts to bolster Canberra’s night-time economy and cultural footprint. Key measures include:
- Tailored Noise Standards: Adapting the Environment Protection Regulation 2005 to include entertainment noise standards specific to the CCEP core and frame areas, promoting a thriving entertainment zone.
- Fee Reductions and Authorisation Extensions: Venues promoting live performances benefit from reduced licensing fees and can now apply for up to 10 temporary extensions to trading hours, supporting diverse cultural programming.
APRA AMCOS has been at the forefront of reforms to unlock the potential of Australia’s live music sector and stimulate local economies. Over ten years it has invested in the regulatory support of the Live Music Office and with direct investment in the Live and Local program which has been building the capacity of local councils around the country.
With new government investment in music grants and programs through the Australian Government's newly established national music development office, Music Australia, together with state and territory investment, NSW, SA and ACT now have the opportunity to harness a robust cultural economy that supports tourism, exports, job creation and the creation of great Australian music that can be celebrated locally and exported to the world.
Dean Ormston concludes: "These collective reforms reflect a growing national commitment to transform how Australia engages with live music and culture. APRA AMCOS is proud to work alongside state and territory governments to help realise this vision, ensuring that live music and nightlife are integral to the social and economic success of Australian communities."