Strong words for NSW government as state Budget fails to offer clear strategy for music industry

“Disappointing” and “no vision” were two responses from the music industry to yesterday’s NSW Budget.

With a focus on developing the arts in the western suburbs and in regional areas, the Budget completely ignored the contemporary music sector.

According to the most recent data from Live Performance Australia, in NSW the sector generated revenue of $478.08 million with an annual attendance of 5.59 million.

The state government is currently funding a number of initiatives for contemporary music. But it is a piecemeal set of policies.

What was lacking was a strong cohesive strategic plan that would generate growth and employment, and opportunities for international recognition, new audiences and new works.

“There’s nothing that indicates there is any great interaction between government and the music industry,” said a high profile manager on condition of anonymity, as a number of his acts receive state grants funding.

“There is no indication whatsoever of the economic and cultural importance of NSW music.

“What is absolutely frustrating is that there’s nothing to revive the live music industry which they stuffed up, and nothing remotely like [the support schemes for live music] some other states have.”

“Unfortunately the NSW Government is in denial about the damage it’s caused the music scene with lockouts and other planning policies,” adds Tyson Koh, Campaign Manager at Keep Sydney Open.

“Instead of burying its head in the sand it could have invested money in soundproofing venues, in a marketing plan for inner-city music precincts, in increased funding for industry groups like Music NSW.

“We’re not even talking eye-watering amounts of cash as a small investment goes a long way in the sector.

“The negligence forces us to ask if the Government is trying to actively kill live music in Sydney.”

In comparison, Victoria has the $22 million Music Works – which, aside from opening doors for musicians, covers everything from sound proofing venues to resuscitating the regional touring circuit to the Hall of Fame as one of its music tourism initiatives.

The WA government this year announced a $3 million Creative Music Fund, and planning reforms to strengthen the local venue sector including the possibility of introducing the agent of change already introduced in Victoria. It acknowledged the social and cultural significance of the music industry and its estimated value of $1 billion.

South Australia set up the Music Development Office in a visionary mix of arts, industry and technology to come up with ideas. It’s adopted most of the recommendations of its Thinker In Residence with initiatives as market development and export, the Robert Stigwood Fellowship and Adelaide as a UNESCO City of Music, to name a few.

Yesterday’s Budget looked at $1.6 billion to build sports stadiums, including the new Western Sydney Stadium, that would also hold concerts.

$190 million over four years went to the Sydney Opera House renewal program, ”to ensure the Opera House is properly equipped to host world-class performances.”

The Walsh Bay Arts Precinct received $186.9 million over four years.

The Budget committed $100 million over four years for the Regional Cultural Fund “to develop cultural and artistic activities in regional and rural communities.” But its focus is on community halls, libraries, museums and art galleries.

The Art Gallery of NSW will get $244 million to build its new Sydney Modern gallery at its headquarters in The Domain.

NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin said the gallery plan is worth $1 billion to the economy over 25 years by gaining exhibitions that were being lost to Melbourne and Brisbane and will create 240 full-time jobs.

“The expansion will allow us to display many more of the greatest works of art in our collection, and also double school student visitors to 200,000 a year,” Gallery Director Dr Michael Brand predicted.