Can Australian Music Survive in the Age of Spotify?
Despite covering just 19.5 square kilometres, Yarra Council in Victoria includes over 130 spaces for live music, including 77 small to medium-sized venues. Together they host about 20,000 gigs a year and attract an estimated 2.5 million attendees.
The ALMBC has been working closely with Yarra Council for some years, aiming to provide models of best practice and support for the iconic live music venues in the LGA, including The Tote, The Corner Hotel, The Workers Club, The Night Cat, Bar Open, The Old Bar, Nighthawks, The Standard, The Rainbow, Grace Darling, Laundry Bar and stacks more.
In December Yarra City Council unanimously adopted an Amendment (C331yara) that creates designated Live Music Precincts in Brunswick Street, Smith Street south, Johnston Street, Collingwood Yards and around Richmond Station.
Council will now request the Victorian Minister for Planning to give authorisation to prepare and exhibit the Amendment to the Yarra Planning Scheme.
This follows a similar endorsed proposal from the City of Port Phillip (which includes St Kilda).
The ALMBC has been advocating for some years for the Victorian Government to follow other state governments including Queensland, NSW, Western Australia and the ACT, as well as special initiatives developed in South Australia.
The ALMBC congratulates Yarra Council and will continue to work with state governments in the development of new entertainment precincts.
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