Industry Updates

Industry pdate from Luke Hanley, EIA President

With last Thursday’s opening of the superb new centre for RugbyWA, the major stadium announcement, significant boosts to EventsCorp funding and the CHOGM juggernaut rapidly approaching – we have plenty to sink our teeth into events-wise that’s for sure!

I thought I would provide some updates on recent meetings and communications I’ve been actively involved in on behalf of our association. Please find below current information I have collated. I hope you find it interesting.

Western Australia police chargin for services  at major events

The EIA will be coordinating an event in the near future where the MECU (Major Events Coordination Unit) will present the policy. A Q and A session will follow for the benefit of those attending that may have queries on any aspects.

Amendments to the Police Act 1982 have been passed through Parliament allowing the Commissioner of Police to charge on a cost-recovery basis for the attendance of police officers at major sporting or entertainment events.

Regulations for this legislation are currently being written after which the legislation will be proclaimed and become operational. This is anticipated to occur later in the year.

Terms used:

EVENT – means an event -
• of a sporting or entertainment nature where a charge is made for admission to the event or participation in the event; or
• The event is run for commercial gain; or
• The event is promoted, advertised or sponsored under a commercial arrangement

MAJOR EVENT – means an event –
• That is reasonably expected by the promoter or organiser, or the Commissioner of Police, to attract at least 5 000 attendees or participants; or
• For which the Commissioner of police reasonably considers it necessary or desirable to assign at least 10 police officers to provide police services.

Costs for the above services will be at a standard hourly rate regardless of the rank of the officer. At this stage the fee will be $90.20 per hour.

The Minister for Police may exempt certain events from the charging of the fee. This and other information will be detailed in the Police Charging for Services Policy. The Policy sets out matters the Commissioner of Police will take into consideration in determining the number of officers required to attend an event and if the fee will be waived. The Policy will be made publicly available.

WA Police will be consulting with the events industry on a regular basis regarding the progress of the legislation – and the EIA will update the membership accordingly.

Perth Arena

The new VenuesWest Perth Arena has been designed to be an iconic, world-class building that will attract national and international sporting and entertainment events to Perth.

This unique venue has the capacity through clever curtain systems in the arena bowl and state-of-the-art facilities, to provide for a variety of functions and events from 100 to 15500 patrons. When completed in mid 2012 and open for events later in the year it’s expected to replace the Perth Entertainment Centre, currently being demolished.

Over the past 12 months there has been significant progress in construction, with the steel work almost 95% complete, (including the operable roof). Under cladding has commenced on several external elements and much of the internal services installation has been done. Work on the corporate suites is now well underway with a completed display suite expected at the end of July 2011.

Extensive planning is currently being undertaken by VenuesWest and Strategic Projects/BMW to ensure that the testing, and commissioning of plant, equipment and venue facilities are carried out to effect a smooth transition by the Operator, from construction to the Gala Opening.

Negotiations between VenuesWest and AEG Ogden are almost at a close and a contract sign off for the Facility and Operational Management of the Perth Arena is expected in early August 2011.

AEG Ogden, is one of the leading sports and entertainment companies in the world specializing in venue ownership and management, including venues such as the O2 Arena in London, the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, Acer Arena in Sydney and Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. AEG Ogden also manages Perth Theatre Trust Venues such as Concert Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre, Subiaco Theatre and the new State Theatre.

It’s expected that the procurement process for “Loose Fit out” items will commence in the last quarter of 2011 and will include items ranging from kitchenware to staging. This will continue over the next 12 months as lead times dictate.

The Project team is looking forward to the challenges of the next 12 months in the delivery of this complex yet inspiring piece of engineered excellence.

http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/0/370/370/perth_arena.pm

Chogm

The WA CHOGM team have advised that they are not seeking any events managers for WA Government events.

The parallel event organisers (Commonwealth Business Forum, Commonwealth People’s Forum and Commonwealth Youth Forum) have finished their tenders and the lead personnel on each respective forum are Shani Wood – CBF, Joany Grima – CPF and Helen Bourke – CYF.

The Australian Government Taskforce has been publicising results of its tender processes on the Aus Tender website: https://www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.advancedsearch.keyword&keyword=chogm

Sydney company Great Big Events were awarded the Opening Ceremony tender – it’s hard to argue with their world class credentials – expect a very special event!

The WA CHOGM team are about to distribute the following update to WA stakeholders, particularly those in the CBD, about where to get information from on general CHOGM happenings:

Starting on 18 July, WA Police officers will be delivering special CHOGM information brochures to homes and businesses across the Perth CBD.  The brochure, developed in conjunction with agencies such as the City of Perth, Department of Transport and the Australian Government CHOGM 2011 Taskforce, outlines transport details, road closures and other information.

In addition, the CHOGM 2011 Taskforce will be conducting CHOGM information sessions at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on 9 August Centre at 9.30am and 6.30pm.  RSVP on  1800 922 011   during business hours or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 8 August.

Information is also available at: http://www.chogm2011.org/

http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Things_to_See_and_Do/Events/Pages/CHOGM_2011.aspx

http://www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au/web/Living/Residents-and-Ratepayers-Information/CHOGM-2011

Eventscorp and tourism WA

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Dr Kim Hames MLA, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism. He spoke passionately about events and is a great supporter of our industry.

I was able to give him an overview of the EIA’s charter and how we provide a unified voice and knowledge sharing platform for our membership. It was an informal chat and I walked away happy in the knowledge that his door is open and we can get our messages “upstairs” if need be.

I think we can be hopeful of some announcements of new events in the Perth Metro and Regional Western Australia in the near future!

http://www.westernaustralia.com/au/Things_to_See_and_Do/Events/Pages/events.aspx

Liquor licensing changes to approved managers – posted 2 May 2011

The amendments to the Liquor Control Act which took effect in 2007 have required an approved manager to be present on licensed premises during trading hours.  Every approved manager must complete a course of training approved by the Director of Liquor Licensing and been deemed ‘fit and proper’ in accordance with the Act.

Currently, managers are only authorised to manage specified premises.  An application must be made if that person wishes to manage another premise.

The current system is seen as restrictive and unnecessarily time consuming.  Consequently, recent changes to the Liquor Control Act 1988 have been enacted to allow the licensing authority to alter the situation.  The new framework will focus on the individual manager rather than the premises and will establish two categories of managers: ‘restricted’ and ‘unrestricted’.

Those persons managing a club, club restricted or occasional licence will only be required to have completed the Responsible Service of Alcohol course and will become a ‘restricted manager’. Those persons managing any other kind of licence will need to have completed the full Course in Liquor Licensing and will become known as an ‘unrestricted manager’.  Unrestricted managers will have the freedom to move between sites without prior approval from the licensing authority.

Managers who are already employed at licensed premises who have completed the Course in Liquor Licensing will automatically be approved as unrestricted managers and may have already received a letter from the Department of Racing, Gaming & Liquor, either personally or at the licensed premises outlining these upcoming changes. These letters request current approved managers to update their personal details in order for a card to be issued (not unlike a driver’s license) which confirms their status to act as approved managers by DRGL. Approved managers will then show their card as requested and can move from site to site as necessary.

For these people for whom DRGL already has in their system, a login will automatically be provided to enable them to enter the website for issuance of the card. Managers currently approved by DRGL will issued a card free of charge; new applicants will be charged.

The EIA encourages all current approved managers to follow this process; not only will it assist to ensure compliance but it will also save future costs. For further information please refer to the Department of Racing, Gaming & Liquor on 9425 1888 or www.rgl.wa.gov.au.

This information is general in nature and should not be used definitively.