The NSW Government has launched a ‘one-stop-shop’ guide to assist music festival organisers in planning safe festivals and events.

The Music Festivals Guide is an online resource that will enable festival organisers to refer to a simple approvals checklist, understand who to talk to, and what approvals are needed and when, to ensure their events run smoothly.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said music festivals are a big part of the State’s entertainment scene and the NSW Government is committed to helping them return with confidence.

“Music festivals are a great time for people to enjoy a live performance, but they also provide an economic boost to towns and regions through jobs and tourism dollars,” Minister Anderson said.

“We know organising a festival can be a challenging process and that is why we have developed this website, to cut the red tape and make it easier for organisers to get their events up and running.”

Bluesfest chief executive officer Nadja Konietzko said the guide was welcome because the more guidance there is when obtaining approvals, the clearer the processes.

“The past four years have been challenging, as we’ve had money held in escrow and unavailable to us, shortage of staff, fluctuations in experienced crew who are leaving the industry and flood related impacts,” Konietzko said.

The Music Festivals Guide follows the NSW Government’s Event Saver Fund, which was launched in January to provide financial support to organisers of major events, should they be cancelled or significantly disrupted as a direct result of a Public Health Order.