Melbourne's live music lawsset to be - œrefined'

Thu 21st Jan, 2010 in Local News

After the massive public outcry over the forced closure of The Tote, Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson has declared that Liquor Licensing director Sue Maclellan will seek to “refine” some of the rules which apply to Melbourne’s live music venues.

According to a spokeswoman for Mr Robinson, ‘’The director of Liquor Licensing is consulting industry representatives and is working on refining high-risk conditions so they apply to the venues and activities that present the greatest risk to community amenity and safety.’’

The government’s move came as another institution of Melbourne’s live music scene – The Arthouse – announced that it was facing closure.

The venue has hosted up to 20 bands a week for the past 19 years, but according to The Arthouse’s manager, Melanie Bodiam, the future under the current regulations looks grim.

Bodiam says that Liquor Licensing Victoria has given the venue two options: close at 1am instead of 3am, or stay open until 3am at a reduced capacity of 90, instead of 300. Neither option is financially viable for the venue.

In a statement issued to our hip little sister site Mess&Noise yesterday, Bodiam explained that “The Arthouse is affected by the new liquor licensing laws that kicked in on the 1st of January this year. As a consequence we are now licensed till 1am opposed to 3am as before.

“I’m sure you can imagine the impact of loss off revenue and staffs wages… Our [lease] will be over in May 2011. The only thing that could change our position is if we owned the building, which I think in the real world costs a fuck load of money. Anyone got an extra few mill they don’t need?”

However Bodiam offers some reassurance for anxious punters and bands – ”- œThe Arty’ plans to go out with a bang. We want to celebrate it not commiserate it. Don’t write us off just yet. We are not closing anytime soon.”