After significant backlash from the community, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) have changed their position on live music being played inside hospitality venues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The news was well received by musicians and venues alike who are excited at the prospect and getting live music back within the community.
The VCGLR released a statement late Thursday evening announcing the change in stance.
"When a pub is operating for the purpose of providing food and drinks, music can be played, but the pub must be operating for the purpose of providing food and drinks to seated diners," the release read.
Victorian president of the Australian Hotels Association and Ballarat publican David Canny simply said "common sense has prevailed" when speaking about the change.
"We welcome the backflip with open arms... common sense has prevailed," he said.
"There are some venues which received grants from the state government to get live music at venues so they can get it restarted, so finally there's some measure of common sense.
"There's people sitting outside, putting up with the weather, they might be able to enjoy their experience a bit more with someone playing music in the corner."
A similar sentiment was echoed by Commerce Ballarat, who took to social media on Friday morning to celebrate the decision.
"We're very happy to have received word late last night that VCGLR has reversed the clarification distributed earlier in the week regarding live music," a Commerce Ballarat spokesperson said.
"Common sense has prevailed and venues who are open for the purpose of serving food and drink may have live music. Thank you to everyone who called departments and MP's, shared posts and sent messages.
"There have been an awful lot of people working hard behind the scenes to have this rectified, and we're incredibly grateful to VCGLR for taking feedback on board and reviewing the decision. Thank you again to everyone, you may officially re-book your entertainment."
Hospitality marketing consultant Jordan McPhan added the change would benefit both venues and artists.
"I'm stoked it's been reversed, grateful to those who put in a lot of work in the past few days advocating on behalf of the industry... this is good for artists," she said.
- With Ben Hopkins.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.