Yesterday’s blog post got more than a thousand hits in a day, which is double the previous most popular post. Usually I only get a couple of hundred. So obvious it struck a chord. There’s more I have to say on the topic, but it’ll take me a while to get time to do so. In the mean time, note that Stephen Yarwood’s been very active on this front, posted the following on his Facebook page and has been discussing the topic at length. In case you missed it, here’s his statement:
I’m disappointed the Jade Monkey is closing in Twin St but more disappointed people think it is council’s fault. The landowner has a right to develop his land and as the development is > $10 million the State Govt Development Assessment Commission is the planning authority. Truth is council is powerless so don’t blame us – we have no laws to change the decision either. Keep in mind a community movement to stop the development is not good for Jade Monkey – if they want to relocate it is not a good look that the community want to stop the development of the land. Landowners would not be keen to lease to a tenant with a community that opposes thier rights as a land owner. It is not good for live music to turn off landowners from leasing land and any campaign to stop the development is counterproductive to the Jade Monkey Team and live music in general. I have met with Zac and offered to assist finding an alternative site and already have work underway for the City to have a live music strategy to promote, support and protect live music in Adelaide. I am doing what I can within my powers and influence!!!
And this was on the news.
As I said, Stephen’s right: much of the law involved in this decision, as per much of the law impacting upon live music, is outside of his control. If he could change it, he probably would. That said, I disagree with his statement that council is ‘powerless’. Council has resources and, as a capital city, it has the capacity to push for change. I’d argue he’s already pushing for that change, the debate is probably more whether there’s enough weight behind him.
To that end, whilst the Lord Mayor evidently doesn’t need a petition to convince him, I’d still encourage you to sign the petition to support live music even if he isn’t the final recipient. Proof that there’s electoral demand for the local music scene is fundamental to producing change at the state and federal level.
