MEDIA RELEASE

Live music to be included as part of the post covid economic stimulus for Wollongong
12 May 2020

Greens Councillors have successfully moved an amendment to the Wollongong Council budget, to ensure that subsidies for live music are included as part of council’s stimulus package.

“I’m really pleased that Council last night unanimously supported our proposal to include live music as part of the COVID recovery plan,” Greens Councillor Mithra Cox said today. 

“Live music is a very effective stimulus, because the impacts are triple fold. Not only does in pay musicians who have been hit hard first by bushfires and now by the pandemic, but it also helps bars and cafes get back on their feet, and provides a compelling reason for people to come back to the CBD,” Councillor Cox said today. 

“Wollongong City Council last night voted that the “City Centre Reactivation Fund”  be used, post COVID, to include a budget to stimulate the 5pm to midnighteconomy. Wollongong Council will explore opportunities to subsidise arts and cultural events in the CBD, especially live music provided by local musicians.

“The details are yet to be finalised, but we would like to see a model where venues book artists, and receive a wage subsidy from council for all gigs with no cover charge, where musicians are paid at or above the award,” Cr Cox said.

More information: Mithra Cox 0425 351 844