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Yarra City Council has lodged its submission to the Parliament of Australia Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry, providing insights into this growing issue from one of Victoria’s most thriving music hubs.

The City of Yarra is a vibrant, inner-city municipality and our live music scene is a large part of our incredible cultural fabric – lighting up our city, providing opportunities for up-and-coming artists and boosting our night-time economy.

Live music venues are facing increasing rents, cost of living pressures, and are finding it difficult to obtain public liability insurance, with those able to secure insurance facing significant rises to their existing premiums –as much as 800%.

Small to medium live music venues, which make up all of Yarra’s live music scene, are being impacted to the point that running their businesses may no longer be viable, with one venue closing its doors after 14 years.

At its 12 March 2024 Council Meeting, Council resolved to work collaboratively with Music Victoria and the Australian Live Music Business Council to find solutions to the issue of insurance and its impact on the live music industry.

Yarra City Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of a new grants program, providing our thriving local industry with a much-needed boost.

The Live Music Festivals and 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund will provide $10 million to deliver gigs at live music venues and support local music festivals and artists.

You can read our submission to the Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry