Councillors are set to oppose an application to extend Burleigh bar trade to 2am
A PLAN to extend late night trading for a bar in Burleigh Heads is about to be stopped by city councillors.
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BOUTIQUE bars will not be operating after midnight at Burleigh, after councillors unanimously backed a recommendation by officers concerned about crime and safety.
Area councillor Daphne McDonald outside a full council meeting at the Evandale Chamber on Wednesday predicted the curfew would remain in place despite light rail heading north from Broadbeach to the popular beachfront location.
“It is a village centre, and the council are very firm on the closing,” Cr McDonald said.
“Burleigh is different to other areas. I mean if people want to have the nightlife, probably go to Surfers Paradise because Burleigh is not the place to do it.”
Asked about the later trading hours of the local area hotel, Cr McDonald said most businesses had an earlier close.
Cr McDonald was asked whether council would change its firm stance on midnight trading for businesses once light rail was extended from the Broadbeach station.
“Look it is a village area. I think the community around there are looking at the earlier closing hours. Midnight has worked very well in the past and it will work well in the future,” she said.
The council decision follows a trend where smaller bars are not getting the green light to operate into the early hours of the morning if their location is near residential neighbourhoods.
The Nightjar Bar, adjoining the Lockwood Bar, is at Justin Lane at 1730 Gold Coast Highway, and operators previously obtained approval to operate from 10am and midnight on Monday to Sunday including public holidays.
“The applicant seeks to extend the hours of operation to 2am. No changes are proposed to the number of employees on site at any one time,” an officer’s report said.
An officer in the report said the surrounding area reflected a village centre with only three premises in the area which operate after midnight.
“The Burleigh Heads Hotel has received a number of complaints as a result of the development operating until 2am,” the officer wrote.
“The subject development gains access from Justin Lane which is not a well-lit or well surveillance laneway in regards to bystanders and vehicles. Therefore, the proposed hours of operation are considered to negatively impact upon amenity beyond the expectations of the surrounding area. The proposed hours of operation are also considered to result in opportunities for crime and is not considered to promote a safe environment.”
A majority of councillors in March took a similar position on late night trading at Chevron Island.
They voted against a tavern having poker machines and trading through to 2am on Chevron Island.
The decision puts a halt on plans to boost night-time trade in the luxury canal estate, which links Surfers Paradise and council’s HOTA cultural precinct.
Only area councillor Darren Taylor and hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer voted for Chevron Island Tavern to become a full-blown sports bar with a TAB operating after midnight.
A council officers’ report was against the proposal.
The move divided the community. Seventy people signed a petition in opposition to the poker machines and late-night trading, but an equal number told Cr Taylor of their support.
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