100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

How 'distinct local issues' are affecting Coast's night-time economy

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Coast home recognised as Queensland’s best

A Sunshine Coast home has been recognised as the best in Queensland at a prestigious awards ceremony. Sarah Waller Building’s ‘Blackwood’ claimed the top honours More

Historic town’s new-look streetscape unveiled

A Sunshine Coast town's main street has a new look. Landsborough's Cribb Street has been revitalised by a streetscape project that included introducing a range More

Jane Stephens: the unwitting harm of social media

Comparison is said to be the thief of joy. And while it might not don a balaclava or take money and jewellery, social media platforms More

Photo of the day: misty magic

“The lovely scene at Witta, looking over the Mary Valley and Conondale Ranges,” writes Catherine Mobbs. If you have a photo of the day offering, More

‘Immaculate’ home steps from the beach an ‘entertainer’s dream’

A modern home less than 100 steps from the beach in a sought-after neighbourhood is poised for auction. The corner home boasts luxury and convenience More

Feedback split but council gives nod to luxury hotel relaxations

The Sunshine Coast Council has approved a temporary local planning instrument allowing height and carparking relaxations for luxury hotel developments for the next two More

A range of issues are holding back the region’s nightlife scene, according to new research from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

A lack of transport, financial pressures and changes in consumer behaviour are among the challenges identified in a report that was prepared by the university’s School of Business and Creative Industries.

Lead author Dr Lenny Vance said a survey of 10 representatives from the Sunshine Coast’s ‘night-time economy’ – including venue owners, musicians and peak body representatives – painted a trying picture for the sector.

“Cost of living is biting in multiple ways – not just consumer spending but with operating and supply costs, and staff not being able to afford to live close to venues, making them harder to attract,” he said via a UniSC media release.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.

“There are also distinct local issues. Some are cultural such as the Coast’s ‘sparrow lifestyle’ (early to bed, early to rise) and changes in Gen Z behaviours.

“Others are external, such as the lack of public transport.”

Live music fans of all ages enjoyed NightQuarter Birtinya. Picture: Shirley Sinclair

Local businesses were initially optimistic about the prospect of a post-COVID return, but the reality has failed to match expectations – particularly in the live music sector – as evidenced by the closure of venues such as NightQuarter and Eleven Dive Bar in the past 13 months.

“Initially, the outlook was positive coming out of COVID due to pent-up demand,” Dr Vance said.

“But this appears to have been counteracted by those identified challenges, which has contributed to the closure of some venues.

“There are some perceptions in the industry that authorities are against live music and are stifling operators with licensing and noise complaints.

“This is not actually the case.

“The existing legislations, which are mostly state government-based, force a council to act if even a single community complaint is made.

“We need to review these legislative constraints.

“The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has actually included a thriving night-time economy as a key ingredient to the success of its economic and community development strategies.”

New York Minute is a new restaurant opening at Noosa Junction. Picture: New York Minute Facebook

The report also identified success stories, such as Noosa Junction, which could provide a new model for the sector.

Other recommendations include the establishment of mid-sized 2000-person capacity venue in Maroochydore and reworking existing industrial spaces.

“The Sunshine Coast is realistically a spread-out string of villages,” Dr Vance said.

“We are recommending local ‘hub’ development that comprises multiple and diverse small food, beverage and leisure venues, like those that have been developed at Noosa Junction and Maleny Lane over the last five years.

“We need to stimulate the development and promotion of these local hubs, encourage their use, work across the industry to leverage the opportunities presented when major events are happening across the Coast and normalise this behaviour as we work towards the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.”

UniSC researchers now seeking members of the public to share their thoughts on the Sunshine Coat’s nightlife via a survey. 

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share