Winning note: council hits right chord by reducing fees for buskers

Council has voted to cut fees for buskers in a big boon for the Gold Coast’s aspiring musicians.

THE council has voted to cut fees for buskers in a big boon for the Gold Coast’s aspiring musicians.

An earlier council committee meeting saw division about a set yearly fee of $100 but a super majority of councillors at full council today voted to slice that amount in half.

Mudgeeraba-based councillor Glenn Tozer said part of his recommendation also ensured each councillor could talk to council officers and determine potential busking locations in their divisions.

Councillor Glenn Tozer — supporting buskers. Picture: Jerad Williams

The previous recommendation only identified new sites, he said.

Cr Tozer said charging $50 and not $100 was a fair and equitable outcome.

“This exercise is not a cost recovery exercise, it won’t cover the costs. But that is a commitment that we as a city are making to the music sector, the cultural sector,” he said.

“Not every busker who comes out there is a musician. Some are mimes, some are magicians — acrobats, things like that. That $50 fee puts us in a similar position as City of Sydney who charge $47 a year.”

Cr Tozer said he welcomed the officer’s recommendation that an artist could sell their CDs and other products.”

“It’s really important, these days with streaming services and per unit sales being so low for a musician, one of the best ways for a great musician to generate a living wage is by selling goodies, merchandise next to their musical performance.

“I hope we can get this through and restore a sense in our musical community that we really care about busking, and attracting great buskers to the city.”

Gold Coast Bulletin journalist experiences 24 hours in the life of Surfers Paradise. Busker Bud Manthey entertains the Cavill Mall crowd and receives a coin donation from a young fan . Picture by Scott Fletcher

Cr Tozer was supported by all councillors apart from Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster who maintained he was a strong supporter of busking but not supportive of council’s policy which he saw as restrictive and “wrapped up in red tape”.

Outside the council, Cr Tozer: “I am pleased the council supported these changes to busking permits, enabling better accessibility for aspiring musicians and performers to be perform in our soon-to-be-busy again streets. The Gold Coast loves music and I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before the next Ed Sheeran, Tracy Chapman or Amy Shark gets discovered busking in Cavill or around the city.”

EARLIER:

COUNCILLORS are divided about a plan to reduce fees for buskers as council grapples with new management of street musicians.

Lifestyle and community committee chair Hermann Vorster appeared frustrated with the position of Glenn Tozer and the support he received by Cameron Caldwell as councillors returned to vote after discussing a busker permit review in closed session.

Gold Coast City Council's approved busking locations in the Coolangatta CBD. Photo: Supplied

The decision to wind up Surfers Paradise Alliance, Broadbeach Alliance and Connecting Southern Gold Coast in late June meant the council must resume responsibility for the management of busking across the city.

Cr Tozer had put forward the following resolution:

● the council issues a single busking permit covering all busking locations.

● council officers consult with councillors and stakeholders to identify sites for use by buskers.

● a standard permit duration of 12 months is offered, and the fee for a busking permit will be $50 per annum.

● a change to permit conditions be undertaken to allow performers to sell and advertise goods and services associated with their act.

“Busking licences on the Gold Coast have previously been too expensive to attract great musicians and performers to our public areas for busking,” Cr Tozer told the Bulletin.

Cr Glenn Tozer. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Amazing artists like Ed Sheeran, Passenger and Tracy Chapman started out as buskers. We need to make Gold Coast busking more accessible while curating the best acts in our high-profile locations like Cavill Ave.”

Cr Tozer said his recommendation to lower the annual fee to $50 meant it would be the same as licences in Sydney.

He said he was attempting to encourage councillors to identify premium and general locations in their divisions where buskers might be ideal.

MORE COUNCIL NEWS

Behind scenes of Black Swan Lake war

REVEALED: Ridiculous problem with disaster centre

Coast tower ‘makes Sydney Opera House look boring’

“My amendment was unsuccessful this time, but hopefully at full council we’ll be able to discuss the matter further and assure a good outcome to continue the Gold Coast’s live music industry momentum,” he said.

Cr Tozer’s amendment was seconded by Cr Cameron Caldwell. A vote resulted in a deadlock of 3-3, relying on the chair, Cr Vorster, to decide.

Gold Coast City Council's approved busking locations in the Southport CBD as of August 2017. Photo: Supplied

Cr Vorster, who said he wanted it made clear he “does not support this process”, ultimately voted against the amendment when pressed by other councillors.

The original committee recommendation, which was then passed, requires the council to issue a single busking permit covering all busking locations.

The standard permit of 12 months would be offered with the option of one month or more for applicants outside the Coast.

The fee for a busking permit would be set at $100 per annum or $10 per month. They could sell their CDs.

Until a trial started in Southport in 2015, busking had been only been permitted in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The then Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow pushed for a trial saying “we want Southport to come alive with culture and sound”.