As a long serving Corporate Communications Trainer, I have often lauded Alan Kohler, the ABC’s Finance presenter, as the best communicator going round. I haven’t changed my opinion. Although after last Tuesday night’s Open Mike Night, with a little tweaking there may be a couple of new contenders! But more of the “How” later. For now let’s focus on the “What”. After a rousing Welcome To Country from Uncle Richard and humorous introductions introductions from the M.C., last Tuesday night was all about Michael Rodrigues, the 24 Hour Economy Commissioner’s new plans to enhance entertainment venues’ ability to operate longer with less restrictions, via the 24 Hour Economy Legislation Amendment Act 2023, {Vibrancy Reforms.} In the words of the Commission, “Vibrancy Reforms boost NSW’s night economy, benefitting live music, dining, and creative sectors and workers, (and the Liquor and Gaming Industry), and bringing vibrancy back to NSW’s night time economy and community.” (Before the implementation of the “Vibrancy Reforms”, community consultation, such as last night’s Open Mike Night, including all stakeholders, is necessary.)
“Vibrancy Reforms” include:
1. Sensible venue sound management. From mid 2024 the Vibrancy Reforms will designate Liquor and Gaming NSW as the lead regulator of entertainment sound related complaints on all licensed premises, imposing a higher threshold for these complaints and councils will be empowered to set sound standards and manage unlicensed premises. (So to reliably manage your own premises – get a Liquor Licence?) Also entertainment sound emanating from licenced premises will be solely managed through the Liquor Act 2007. This means that noise related conditions of development consent and ‘offensive noise pollution’ laws will no longer apply when such matters are regulated by the Liquor Act 2007. Also the number of disturbance complaints about a licensed venue needed for a formal complaint to be considered will increase from 3 to 5, (from different households living in the area for a reasonable period of time).
2. Vibrant, coordinated precincts. Live entertainment will be supported by extended trading hours for live music venues and favourable noise controls providing operating certainty for venues, neighbouring residences and businesses. There will also be new planning rules empowering councils to protect their creative and cultural spaces and create new ones. Changes to planning policy will encourage commercial or residential developers to include performance or creative spaces. Venues are now able to permanently use their private land and car parking spaces for outdoor dining or artisan food and drink businesses, including micro breweries. Councils are also allowed to approve temporary street closures for outdoor dining, performance and extension of foyer space.
The benefits of all these amendments are of course clear and obvious to licensed businesses, restaurants and dining establishments, small and large, and musicians, artists and performers, and everyone needing the ability to sample a wider range of late night entertainment, excluding some neighbouring residents, also of course. But as Panelist, Sarah Riley said to me, if you don’t want the vibrant life – don’t move there.
Last night was a great opportunity for community discussion and consultation with a panel and other interested stakeholders and networking opportunities following.
After speeches by John Graham, the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, where he pledged increasing consultation and support and consultation with the Commission, then a speech by Michael Rodrigues, the Commissioner for the Night-time Economy,on the road ahead where he talked about, among other things, the purple flag program and having the ability to walk safely through night-time precincts. To quote him talking about Howard Street in Lakemba, South-Western Sydney: “Quite surprising, isn’t it? There’s 2 Licenced Premises on that street out of 160 venues. Who’d have thought that in Sydney you’ve got a story about night life that didn’t revolve around drinking?”
Then it was time for a fairly short Panel Discussion.
The panel consisted of Michael Rodrigues, Sarah Riley, M.D. Credet Consulting, Nathan Stratton, Prop. Lalala’s Music Venue, and Jes R.R. Alexander, Community Arts and Cultural Developement Producer.
They talked about their experiences, especially following the nightmare of Covid and the difficulties of trying to work through the “opaqueness” of government departments and bureaucracies to try to help resurrect the struggling night-time venues and allied businesses. Nathan Stratton talked about the continuing debilitating costs of trying to keep a music venue open, including …(Taxes?) of up to $20,000! (which can often lead to their demise.) One of the most interesting issues raised by Panelist, Jes Alexander was that of availability of public transport later in the evening. In her words,(roughly),talking about an exhibition event recently: “We looked up and suddenly everyone was leaving because the last train was soon due to leave!”
. As for the “How”… Alan Kohler’s crown is safe but last (Tuesday) night did remind me that the single most important element of any effective communication is belief, commitment, enthusiasm, even passion about your subject and everyone there at the Art Gallery was certainly invested in improving nightlife around Wollongong and environs!
