Uncertainty surrounds Gold Coast’s live music scene

The future of live music venues on the Gold Coast remains uncertain with the Queensland Attorney-General to consider the final report of the liquor licensing review, compiled by the Red Tape ­Reduction Liquor Licensing Expert Committee.

The review looked into the over-regulation of low-risk venues and considered changes to noise restrictions, trading hours and liquor licences.

It also investigated whether more power should be given to councils in dealing with noise complaints.

The final report comes as a community campaign to protect live music on the Gold Coast gains momentum after the closure of Swingin’ Safari and the end to live music at The Loft.

Both venues faced a liquor licensing crackdown on noise complaints and licence conditions in June.

Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said noise restrictions would be looked at by the expert panel and it would form part of their final report.

Attorney-General Bleijie told the Gold Coast Bulletin “I support entertainment precincts, particularly where live music is a focus of engagement, but the balance needs to be right to allow that kind of entertainment without causing problems for surrounding families and businesses.”

Once vibrant live music scenes in Sydney and Melbourne have been impacted by licensing laws and noice complaints over the past year, although the Victorian Government's recently announced Live Music Action Agenda has set out to provide increased protection to live music venues from noise complaints by new residential developments.

Earlier this year, the Queensland Government’s introduction of a ‘Safe Night Out’ strategy set out to deal with alcohol and drug-related violence.

However, Attorney-General  Bleijie has stated that the Strategy, which was released in March, recognises that alcohol and drug-related violence is “a complex issue for which there is no one fix or quick fix”.  

6th August 2014 - VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER LIVE MUSIC REFORMS

26th March 2014 - LIVE MUSIC VENUES THREATENED BY NEW LAWS AND NOISE COMPLAINTS