Expressions of interest are open for Green Music Australia’s tailored education program for live music, arts, and cultural venues across NSW. The program is designed to help venues and their staff strengthen sustainability practices across waste management, energy use and supply chains. Venues that serve food are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly in light of the NSW FOGO mandates rolling out from 1 July, 2026.
The program includes a free 1.5 hour online workshop, a free in-person workshop at Bondi Pavilion, and access to discounted Green Venue Certification opportunities.
This project is an initiative of the NSW Environment Protection Authority under the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, and is funded from the waste levy.
Introductory Online Workshop
Date & Time: 1pm–2:30pm, Wednesday 4th November
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Join us to explore the principles behind the updated Green Venue Guide, and hear real-world examples of successes as well as how challenges are being addressed. The session will cover topics including procurement, First Nations First, and energy, all grounded in research and case studies.
This workshop is free with unlimited capacity and serves as a valuable introductory session ahead of our more in-depth in-person workshop.
In-Depth Green Venue Workshop
Date & Time: 10am–3pm, Tuesday 17th November
Location: Bondi Pavilion, Theatre Space, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Cost: Free
Dive deeper into the Green Venue Guide with a practical focus on waste and energy, including real-world examples and hands-on demonstrations at Bondi Pavilion. A professional energy auditor from Chargeworks will have completed a full energy audit of the venue ahead of the workshop and will walk us through the findings, highlighting opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. You’ll also learn how the findings and recommendations can be applied to your own venue.
A representative from WASTE AUDIT will deliver a live demonstration of how to conduct a waste audit in your venue. You’ll learn how to identify opportunities to reduce contamination, improve waste separation and increase diversion rates. We’ll also hear directly from Bondi Pavilion about how they are preparing for the incoming FOGO mandates, including the practical steps they are taking to get their venue, staff and systems ready.
The workshop is ideal for anyone working in a venue who wants to learn from peers, see practical solutions in action and discover achievable, low-effort ways to improve sustainability while delivering benefits for the planet and the bottom line. Lunch will be provided. Please bring your own reusable cup for tea and coffee and a refillable water bottle.
Green Venue Certification
For participants of the online and in-person workshops, a discounted fee will be available to participate in our Green Venue Certification program. Spots are limited, so please indicate your interest when you complete the EOI form. Learn more about Certification and pricing structure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are these workshops for?
Venue owners, operators, managers and staff from any venues that host live music, arts or cultural events. Venues that serve food are strongly encouraged to attend.
Are there fees to participate?
The workshops are free to attend but registration will be required. To take part in the Venue Certification Program, a discounted participation fee will be available for attendees. Fees are scaled based on your venue’s audience capacity. Learn more about certification and pricing structure here.
How many people can we send to the workshops?
Send as many people as you like for the online workshop.
The in-person workshop will be limited and based on a first-in first-served basis.
What are the NSW FOGO mandates?
Supermarkets, institutions and hospitality businesses will be required to have a source-separated food organics waste collection service from 1 July 2026, with a staged approach based on the businesses’ weekly residual bin volumes.
- Relevant premises with residual waste capacity ≥ six 660L bins, or ≥16 × 240L bins, or any combination of bins ≥3,960L must comply by 1 July 2026
- Relevant premises with residual waste capacity ≥ three 660L bins, or ≥8 × 240L bins, or any combination of bins ≥1,980L must comply by 1 July 2028
- Relevant premises with residual waste capacity ≥660 litres in a single bin, or ≥three 240-litre bins, or ≥720 litres in total for any combination of bins, must comply by 1 July 2030.
Still unsure if you meet the mandate? Complete the NSW EPA’s mandate calculator here.
Have any other questions? Book in time to chat with Emma Bosworth, our National Programs Manager, or email us.
This project is an initiative of the NSW Environment Protection Authority under the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, and is funded from the waste levy. The Green Venue Program and Green Venue Certification has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the NSW Government through Sound NSW.
