Inner West Mayor goes in to bat for live music venues at NSW parliamentary inquiry

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne gave evidence at the parliamentary inquiry into the music and the arts economy in New South Wales.

Mayor Byrne told the Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee No. 6 - Planning and Environment that the combination of Sydney’s lockout laws, state and local government red tape and incessant noise complaints were killing the live music scene.

“Live music venues are closing their doors at an accelerating rate in the Inner West,” said Mayor Byrne.

“In practice, the deadly troika of councils, the liquor regulator and the licensing police are combining to form a tacit fun police force, which is killing our live music scene.

“As mayor I see it as my responsibility to end the prosecution of music venues by council and to go into bat for venues who are being harassed with vexatious noise complainants.

“Recently, we have fought alongside Lazy Bones in Marrickville to prevent them being shut down and will fight, block by block if necessary, to protect other cultural institutions.

“All over Sydney, the fun police have been in a war against live music. The person who moves in next to a pub and complains about the noise is not just a cliché. Sadly, in Sydney, NIMBY neighbours are supported by powerful government agencies in shutting down music venues.”

For further information, please contact John Roper on 9392 5914

Inner West Mayor goes in to bat for live music venues at NSW parliamentary inquiry

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