Promoters Face Funding Boosts, Council Stoushes

Major music festivals in Victoria and Queensland have received funding boosts but the promoter of a new initiative on the Sunshine Coast is involved in a stoush with the local council.

In Victoria, Meredith, Golden Plains, Queenscliff Music and Beyond The Valley, are among 13 events supported through the state Labor government’s Live Music Restart – Festivals and Events program.

Said spokesperson Aunty Meredith, “This grant not only supports creative artists, but a multitude of skilled workers and small businesses that combine to bring a festival to life.

“As Meredith and Golden Plains prepare to return after a two-year hiatus, the funding is vitally important to the ongoing sustainability of both events.”

The funding is part of an $11 million injection that includes the latest round of Music Works which will allow The Cat Empire, Bumpy and BATTS to record new albums, Julia Jacklin to tour Europe, Blossom Rot Records to release music from three acts, and the Archie Roach Foundation to support emerging First Nation artists to perform at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

On The Road Again has six new projects to stage shows in suburbs.

Queensland festivals benefit from the state government’s latest funding programs underpinned by a $50 million funding boost over four years to realise its Grow 2022 – 2026 roadmap.

The money is to boost creative employment and skills development, grow First Nations arts, foster partnerships and collaborations and increase new investment into creative industries.

Music festivals are central in round 5 of the federal government’s Live Music Australia program.

It has $2.5 million in targeted funding assistance available, with grants up to $100,000 in support “including assistance in offsetting increased operating, wage and insurance costs,” as well as ensuring appropriate pay for artists and supporting accessibility.

“I love music festivals,” declared minister for the arts, Tony Burke.

“I’ve been visiting them for years and I want to see them pumping out great live music as soon as possible.

“Festivals are the backbone of Australia’s live music industry.

“This support will ensure we get more artists back on stage doing what they do best.”

Applications close on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 p.m. AEDT.

Burke said the next funding round will focus on music venues.

The festival support comes in the wake of cancellations of Sunset Sounds, Jungle Love, Yours and Owls, Wine Machine, Flow Festival, Festival of the Sun and This That.

Last week, The Grass Is Greener had to scrap two of its four stops, in Canberra on October 23 and Geelong in Victoria on October 30.

In the meantime, Queensland-based hospitality company Comiskey Group, which plans to set up a for-hire festival site at the 150-hectare Coochin Fields on the Sunshine Coast hinterland is butting heads with the Sunshine Coast Council.

The council rejected an application for a 142-site for caravan and camping, and an eight-cabin eco camp, next door for patrons.

It would offer eco-tours with a 20-seat pontoon boat, bushwalking, water activities, horse riding and high ropes.

The council turned it down citing environmental and traffic concerns.

Comiskey appealed the decision, to be reviewed on October 28, arguing the project would promote the appreciation of the natural environment and support tourism.

The firm emphasised the application for the festival site was continuing and independent of the eco-camp proposal.