Melbourne Money to make a comeback under Team Wood

Lord Mayoral candidate Arron Wood says Melbourne’s live music scene is suffering a “crisis of confidence” and has pledged to revive the COVID-era Melbourne Money program if elected.

The revival would see punters able to apply for a 20 per cent rebate on the cost of food, drinks and live entertainment when spending between $50 and $500 at small- and medium-sized venues within the City of Melbourne.

Events at stadiums, arenas and major theatres would be excluded.

Mr Wood said $5 million would be invested in the program.

Past iterations of Melbourne Money between the council and the state government delivered a $100 million economic boost to the city’s businesses as they re-opened after COVID lockdowns.

“The feedback I’ve received from the live music industry is there is a crisis of confidence and Town Hall needs to do more to support smaller venues – and of course, the performers,” Mr Wood told CBD News.

We want to not only support the musicians and artists but also the pubs and clubs that are so critical to Melbourne’s world-class live music scene.

A 2023 annual report by music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS found more than 1300 live music venues and stages had closed across Australia since 2020.

Victoria lost 24 per cent of its venues in three years, while larger international tours were found to be dominating industry revenue at the expense of local performers.

“Reviving Melbourne Money to include live music is about encouraging Melburnians, and visitors, to get back into the habit of buying tickets for a live show and reminding them how great our live music scene is,” Mr Wood said.

The question of how to boost Melbourne’s arts sector has been a major issue in the lead up to local government elections this month.

Mr Wood committed to prevent the sale of the Regent Theatre as proposed by current Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, describing the plan as “shortsighted”.

In a statement, Team Wood said Melbourne Money would be part of a five-point plan to help revitalise Melbourne’s economy and revive its “cultural heartbeat” that would begin implementation in 2025.