Build Queensland: Struggling entertainment industry want level playing field
Major players in the shattered entertainment industry say its future on the Gold Coast could be saved - if they get a level playing field. FULL DETAILS >>>
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MAJOR players in the shattered entertainment industry believe an even playing field could save its future on the Gold Coast.
There’s no limit on the number of people who can gather in outdoor public spaces but laws still limit venues to one person per two square metres.
The change means sporting events can host capacity crowds, while pubs, bars and live music venues struggle to stay afloat. Stafford Brothers DJ Matt Stafford this month performed at Suncorp Stadium for the NRL’s Magic Round in front of thousands of fans.
He questioned why the music industry couldn’t hold an event with 50,000 people but performers could entertain a sporting crowd.
“I’m all for protecting people, especially since returning from America and seeing what’s happened there, but it needs to be fair for everyone,” he said.
“The AFL grand final and the State of Origin last year were great events but why can people be on their seats dancing but not at music events? It doesn’t make sense.”
A Queensland Health spokesperson said: “Currently all large-scale venues such as sports stadiums, concert venues, theatres and jazz clubs are allowed to be at 100 per cent capacity if all attendees are ticketed, allocated and seated.
“Indoor venues can also operate at 100 per cent capacity if all attendees are ticketed, allocated and seated.”
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Under the one person per 2sq m rule, small bars across Queensland remain effectively restricted to 50 people, leaving patrons queuing on the streets where there is no contact tracing.
Non-seated live music venues can only operate at about 50 per cent capacity, which according to Miami Marketta founder Emma Milikins isn’t enough to operate at a profit.
Gold Coast hospitality veteran Scott Imlach, whose bars include Nightcap at Nobby Beach and Nightjar at Burleigh, launched a petition in April for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to change the restrictions and “save small hospitality business in Queensland”.
The Triffid’s John Collins and The Fortitude’s Brett Gibson also launched the Play Fair petition to save the live music scene.Blues on Broadbeach returned to the Gold Coast last weekend with a facelift to meet the state government’s standards.Thea Jeanes-Cochrane has a foot in both parties, sitting on the boards at Motorsport Australia and Home of the Arts (HOTA).
The co-founding director of Cochrane Entertainment, a Gold Coast-based global company, said live entertainment was a complex industry and understood why it was hard to put in place a one-size-fits-all ruling.
Despite sympathising with the state government, she said a level playing field was needed for the entertainment industry to survive.
“I’m sure these venues and businesses would be happy to have full capacity, even if that meant other mandates like wearing masks,” she said.
“Professional sport can garner significant income from its broadcasting rights – reducing the financial hit from reduced crowds. Entertainment does not, with revenues primarily from ticket sales, merchandise and food and beverage.
“When entertainment venue’s capacities are diminished it makes for a risky proposition for operators, especially in light of the discontinuation of JobKeeper or the ability to secure pandemic insurances. “A more balanced approach to venue capacities is required by health regulators to avoid further decimation of the entertainment industry ecosystem.”
Struggling Coast music venues not after 'free ride'
May 13, 2021
GOLD Coast music operators say the struggling industry would not need taxpayer “handouts” if the state government lifted COVID-19 restrictions at venues.
The Palaszczuk government last week announced it would contribute $22.5m for an Arts and Cultural Recovery Package and an extra $1.3m to help 21 live music venues across the state.
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse will receive $60,000 through the state government’s live music grant.
The Burleigh venue’s co-founder Kim Ferguson said while the funding was appreciated, easing restrictions for operators would have saved the taxpayer millions.
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“Any live music operator would agree 50 per cent capacity isn’t enough to run a business,” she said.
“If that was at least pushed to 75 per cent capacity it would make a major difference. It’s not about us getting funding, it’s about letting our industry and community grow and have a future.”
Currently all large-scale and indoor venues are able to have full capacity if attendees have ticketed, allocated seating. Venues not offering ticketed and allocated seating must follow a one person per 2sq m restriction.
A Queensland Health spokesman said: “Current restrictions exist because we know there is an increased risk of transmission at venues without allocated seating … where there is typically high flow of people, movement of people and where people may mingle.
“The reality is the risks from COVID are not over yet, and easing restrictions has always been a phased approach and managed sensibly.”
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Under the one person per 2sq m rule, Miami Marketta is running at less than 50 per cent for gigs in its Studio 56 venue and about 55 per cent capacity for events in the laneway area.
Founder Emma Milikins said music venue operators normally targeted a capacity of about 70 per cent to break even on live events.
“We’re not looking for a free ride and handouts; we want to be able to make money and continue our businesses ourselves,” she said.
“We’re staying open to try to stay relevant. We’re able to survive and pay bills and wages but we’re not making any money.”
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Gold Coast music festival For the Love has been postponed to August and the Inverted Festival was cancelled due to COVID-19 regulations.
Blues on Broadbeach will look different this year under its COVID-safe plan with new separation zones, patron scanning and extended outdoor seating.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk received a backlash following a tweet celebrating the Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby AU title win on Saturday night “in front of 41,637 fans at Suncorp Stadium”.
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Queensland artists including Gold Coast superstar Amy Shark hit back at the tweet, asking for more support for the music industry.
Blues on Broadbeach director Mark Duckworth said: “I love my footy but it’s been tough to see a noticeable difference between certain events I’ve been to over the last year.
“It’s been really hard and things can’t continue like this forever. We need more stability around what we can do. Then artists and promoters can make better plans.”
A spokesman from Ms Palaszczuk’s office said: “The government recognises that some industries, including the live music industry, are impacted which is why the government is already engaging with the industry.”
The Play Fair petition calling for the end of the double standard had more than 19,000 signatures early this week.
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