Three venues across the Tweed Shire delivering live music have been rewarded with a total of $90,000 in NSW Government grants, Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest has announced.

“The Beach Hotel in Kingscliff, the Murwillumbah Citadel and Flutterbies in Tyalgum are among 162 NSW businesses to take a slice of the NSW Government’s $24 million COVID-19-busting live music support package,” Mr Provest said.

“Whether you are a theatre, a pub or a cafe, this investment delivered by the Nationals in NSW Government is about keeping your doors open and keeping live music alive, because the show must go on”

Funds were allocated by an industry and government panel with amounts decided based on the size of individual venues, and whether the venue operates exclusively for live music or whether live music forms a significant part of the venue operations.

Recipients can use funding for operational costs including hiring musicians and support crew.

The Minister responsible for the program, Stuart Ayres, said the benefits of this initiative would be far-reaching.

“By keeping the lights on and the amps tuned, we’re creating social and economic benefit for the whole of NSW, and it’s amazing to see venues from Kiama to Kingscliff receiving funding through this support package,” Mr Ayres said.