Friday, 8 February 2019

Applications are now open for Good Music Neighbours, an Andrews Labor Government program to help Victoria’s live music venues be better neighbours by managing the sound that goes to their local neighbourhoods.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today encouraged all local venues to apply for the program, which provides music venues with matched funding of up to $25,000 for noise management projects.

So far, the program has supported more than 80 venues across Victoria, from iconic music hotspots like The Corner, The Espy and The Tote in the inner city, to outer-metro and regional venues from Mornington to Ballarat – as well as helping venues to host live music events and programs for the first time.

Part of the Labor Government’s $22.2 million Music Works initiative, the program has allowed venues to host more gigs to bigger audiences and increase revenue, while ensuring they uphold local noise laws and regulations.

More than 17 million people soaked up one or more of the 73,000 live music gigs in Victoria in 2017 alone, compared to 62,000 in 2012.

The Labor Government announced last year that Victoria will also stage a huge new music festival, Victoria Live, across the CBD, the suburbs and regional Victoria – kicking off in winter 2020.

Victoria Live will showcase the best the Creative State has to offer, with free and ticketed events ranging from music to workshops and talks, great local food, wine and craft beer.

Applications for this round of the Good Music Neighbours program will open tomorrow to venues across Victoria and close on 7 March.

For more information, including full guidelines and application tips, visit creative.vic.gov.au/gmn.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing.

 “Victoria is the live music capital of Australia and we’re proud to keep it that way – that’s why we’re supporting local venues to be better neighbours so they can host more gigs.”

“Part of maintaining a vibrant music culture is helping venues fix the challenges they face, like noise complaints from neighbouring residents and businesses.”

“I would encourage all of our region’s fantastic live venues to apply for a grant to help that ensure they can keep making music well into the future.”