NightQuarter rescue plan takes off as State planners consider potential sites

The Gold Coast’s NightQuarter will close next month at Helensvale due to increasing rents — but help may have come in a most unexpected form.

STATE Government development bureaucrats are to meet with NightQuarter owners in a bid to sound out potential sites to save the much loved Gold Coast live music venue.

NightQuarter owners Michelle Christoe and Ian Van der Woude are searching for new sites after they say high rentals will force them to vacate the venue’s current home at Helensvale by early next month.

NightQuarter owners Michelle Christoe and Ian Van Der Woude after announcing the closure of NightQuarter. Photo: Richard Gosling.

NIGHTQUARTER SEARCH FOR NEW HOME COULD SEE IT MOVE CLOSER TO THE GLITTER STRIP

The State-owned Queensland Investment Corporation part owns the site next to Westfield Helensvale and on the back of strong community support the Government is under pressure to assist the owners in searching for potential new locations.

The Bulletin can reveal Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon is eager to retain the popular live venue in her electorate and will organise government officials to attend a meeting with NightQuarter bosses.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor met with NightQuarter bosses on the weekend to plan a solution. Photo: Richard Gosling

Ms Scanlon is prepared to stage an early meeting but wants to arrange for State Development officers along with councillors to attend. The challenge will be finding suitable sites.

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“No one wants to see the Gold Coast lose NightQuarter,” Ms Scanlon told The Bulletin yesterday.

“I’m hopeful we’ll be able to work with the owners of the company and with council to find the best possible solution for everyone.”

Nutella festival is just one of the fun events NightQuarter held at their Helensvale venue. Photo: Glenn Hampson

Bonney LNP MP Sam O’Connor met with NightQuarter bosses on the weekend and is scouting sites to keep the venue in his electorate which neighbours Ms Scanlon’s.

Mr O’Connor inspected a vacant carpark site fronting the old Commonwealth Games Village on Smith Street which he believes would be suitable.

NIGHTQUARTER CLOSING: GOLD COAST’S YOUNG PERFORMERS SAY GOODBYE

But government insiders suggest the area was valuable commercial land earmarked for the health and knowledge precinct.

Night Quarter at Helensvale will close its doors after Westfield more than doubled the rent. Photo: Richard Gosling

Other possible options being touted include land near Carrara Stadium and Country Parklands in the Nerang hinterland.

The Helensvale site’s other landlord, the Scentre Group, which had increased rent by 100 per cent, yesterday declined to make further comment citing commercial reasons.

Meanwhile, an online petition to save NightQuarter has garnered more than 16,000 signatures in only four days.

Michelle Christoe and Ian Van Der Woude are hoping to find a new venue. Photo: Richard Gosling

The Change.org petition started by Southport resident Robert McKenna is fast gathering attention across Facebook, with 16,095 signatures as of yesterday afternoon.

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Mr McKenna, who previously lived just around the corner from the Helensvale venue, said the petition was the “first thing” he did on hearing the news.

“I’ve got a lot of good memories from NightQuarter personally … I think if they do close it would be a waste of an asset to the Gold Coast,” he said.

“It’s a one of a kind venue, there’s nothing in the area that’s like it. It’s close to public transport, it’s good for the community to go there and have a good feed, spend some time relaxing and catching up with people.”

Mr McKenna admitted he was not anticipating such a strong response.

“I’m a bit astounded really … I didn’t know what to expect, I just wanted to put a petition forward and hopefully make a change for the better,” he said.

“(The response) tells me Scentre Group need to rethink their decision and possibly keep NightQuarter open.”