Live Music Support Package Reaches Local Venues

Four Central Coast music venues are sharing in $150,000 from the NSW Government’s Live Music Support Package.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said Avoca Beach Theatre, Hardy’s Bay Community Club, Link and Pin, and Shady Palms are among the 77 regional venues to receive a cash boost.

“COVID-19 had a significant impact on every single business, but the pandemic has particularly devastated the live music industry,” Mr Crouch said.

“Without a stage to perform on and audiences to entertain, there are no artists and support teams, so the Live Music Support Package is a lifeline for tens of thousands of people across NSW.

“On the Central Coast this funding will help four local venues bounce back and employ musicians, creatives and crew as well as cover operational costs.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the benefits of this funding would be far-reaching.

“We know that there is a whole network of businesses and professionals that are involved in staging live music shows, and many of these venues are pillars of their community and critical infrastructure that allows a whole range of events and activities to take place,” Mr Ayres said.

“Live music is the beating heart of our State and this is the largest investment into grassroots live music in the history of NSW.”

Applications were assessed by an industry and NSW Government inter-agency panel, with funding allocated based on the size of individual venues, and whether the venue operates exclusively for live music or whether live music forms a significant part of the venue operations.

The Live Music Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $51.5 million Tourism Support Package, providing funding to sectors engaged in the NSW visitor economy that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.