Latest news with #OllyArkins
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Outrageous reason major events are banned in Clover Moore's Sydney - as push to restore vibrancy to nanny state sensationally fails
Clover Moore's council has sparked outrage after voting to keep a ban on major events being hosted in public parks to prevent damage to the grass. The City of Sydney voted on Monday to keep tough restrictions that have been in place for almost three years at council-run parks. The ban was first introduced in October 2022 after the Night Noodle Markets caused serious damage at Prince Alfred Park. Only a few one-day events are still permitted, like Christmas concerts, the Yabun Festival and Mardi Gras Fair Day. Labor Councillor Olly Arkins tried to overturn the ban, asking that Victoria Park be allowed to host up to five events a year instead of the current two. The attempt was shut down as council offered the extraordinary excuse that 'climate change is accelerating severe weather patterns'. 'Increased rainfall in the lead-up to and during outdoor commercial events has resulted in significant damage to large sections of the parks.' Arkins argued council was not 'recognising the cultural value for our residents and the benefits for the local economy of these live opportunities' by enforcing the ban. 'This is about giving people a reason to stay out. We talk a lot about a vibrant 24-hour city, but this is what it actually looks like in practice,' he said. Councillor Adam Worling, from Clover Moore's Council team, claimed public parks shouldn't be used for commercial events. He also recalled the significant damage caused by the Night Noodle Markets. 'I witnessed the calamity of the Night Noodle Markets in 2022,' he said. '[The bump out] was delayed because of the torrential rain. It was a disaster what they did to our park.' He added the parks are still soaked after months of rain and warned that damage from large crowds could cost up to $250,000 to fix. Worling suggested events should be held at other areas like Martin Place or the University of Technology Sydney. He called on the state government to make venues like The Domain and Tumbalong Park cheaper to hire. Worling pointed out Victoria Park once hosted major concerts for The Angels, AC/DC, and Cold Chisel, with a stage built on the roof of the pool. 'Why do we need to relegate these great days of live music in Sydney to the past, when there are artists and audiences desperate for a stage here and now?' he said. NSW Premier Chris Minns supported ending the ban, saying on Tuesday 'we need to be sensible here'. City of Sydney Liberal Councillor Lyndon Gannon meanwhile told Daily Mail Australia the state government wasn't doing enough. 'Here's a better idea for the Premier: how about we start using the forecourt of the Opera House more?' he said. 'And while we're at it, remove the ridiculous noise restrictions at the Domain. That'll bring back vibrancy instantly.' 'In the past, our local parks have been destroyed by events like the Night Noodle Markets. Residents were furious.' 'But if an operator comes up with a proven plan that won't leave the park closed for months, I'm all ears.'
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Australian music festival Groovin the Moo cancelled for second year in a row
Regional music festival Groovin the Moo has cancelled for the second year in a row, just a week after Splendour in the Grass cancelled its 2025 edition, also for the second year running. 'Groovin the Moo won't be happening in 2025, while we work on finding the most sustainable model for Australia's most loved regional touring festival,' the organisers wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Friday afternoon. 'We will really miss seeing the smiling faces of all our beloved Moo Crew … In the meantime, which artist would you most like to see on a GTM lineup?' In February 2024, Groovin the Moo cancelled all six of its dates two months before the festival was due to kick off, saying ticket sales had 'not been sufficient to deliver a regional festival of this kind'.In August, the founder of Bluesfest, Peter Noble, announced that the long-running Byron Bay music festival would be winding up after its 2025 edition, due to take place in April. Speaking to Guardian after the cancellation of Splendour last week, the managing director of the Australian Festival Association, Olly Arkins, warned about the sector's poor state, saying: 'It just shows we're not out of the difficult period for festivals yet.' On Friday, Arkins called the cancellation of Groovin the Moo 'disappointing'. 'Regional festivals like Groovin the Moo play a vital role in connecting audiences with live music outside of major cities, providing opportunities for artists, local businesses, and festival workers. But like many events across the country, the rising costs of production and ongoing challenges in the industry have made it increasingly difficult to operate,' he said. 'This cancellation highlights the urgent need for the federal government to extend Revive Live funding to ensure festivals of all sizes can continue to thrive,' he added. In 2024, a federal parliamentary inquiry into the beleaguered live music sector heard how rising operational costs and increasing incidences of extreme weather – with knock-on effects for event cancellations and insurance premiums – were the biggest issues facing festivals. Industry insiders also last year blamed a scarcity of willing and available headline artists and a preference among punters for more boutique festivals that catered to niche tastes. A Senate report is due to be handed down later this year.
The Guardian
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Australian music festival Groovin the Moo cancelled for second year in a row
Regional music festival Groovin the Moo has cancelled for the second year in a row, just a week after Splendour in the Grass cancelled its 2025 edition, also for the second year running. 'Groovin the Moo won't be happening in 2025, while we work on finding the most sustainable model for Australia's most loved regional touring festival,' the organisers wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Friday afternoon. 'We will really miss seeing the smiling faces of all our beloved Moo Crew … In the meantime, which artist would you most like to see on a GTM lineup?' In February 2024, Groovin the Moo cancelled all six of its dates two months before the festival was due to kick off, saying ticket sales had 'not been sufficient to deliver a regional festival of this kind'. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email In August, the founder of Bluesfest, Peter Noble, announced that the long-running Byron Bay music festival would be winding up after its 2025 edition, due to take place in April. Speaking to Guardian after the cancellation of Splendour last week, the managing director of the Australian Festival Association, Olly Arkins, warned about the sector's poor state, saying: 'It just shows we're not out of the difficult period for festivals yet.' In 2024, a federal parliamentary inquiry into the beleaguered live music sector heard how rising operational costs and increasing incidences of extreme weather – with knock-on effects for event cancellations and insurance premiums – were the biggest issues facing festivals. Industry insiders also last year blamed a scarcity of willing and available headline artists and a preference among punters for more boutique festivals that catered to niche tastes. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion A Senate report is due to be handed down later this year.
