People wishing to busk in towns across the shire will now be able to do so at a reduced rate.

Moyne Shire councillors have stripped back the cost of a busking permit in the municipality, with the fee down from $65 to $10.

The change has been included in the 2018-19 budget and is the brainchild of Cr Jordan Lockett.

A musician himself, Cr Lockett said he was looking forward to buskers taking up the opportunity to shine.

“It would be great to see more buskers on our street, it creates a bit of excitement and colour,” Cr Lockett said.

“Hopefully making it more affordable will encourage little Johnny to grab his recorder and get out and have a go.

“You can see what a great vibe busking brings to events like the Koroit Irish Festival and the Folkie, it would be awesome to re-create that during times of the year when there is nothing special happening.”

Port Fairy Folk Festival Port Fairy Folk Festival director Caroline Moore welcomed the drop in price of a buskers permit. 

Ms Moore said busking can be part of a successful path in music.

“Our festival’s emerging artist of the year in 2018, AMISTAT, began as buskers in the Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne,” she said.

“Tash Sultana, who we had at Port Fairy in 2017, also started as a busker and our 2017 busker of the year Rhys Crimmin was part of our main program this year.

“These stories show the importance of getting out in front of people and playing your music.

“It’s great Jordan is driving this support for buskers at council level.”