Burleigh is changing – but making it a Safe Night Precinct would be a mistake

Change is barrelling towards Burleigh at an extraordinary pace – but a recent suggestion could transform the area forever in a way that few will appreciate.

It’s probably the understatement of the year, but Burleigh is at a crossroads.

As regular readers will know, the issues – catalogued in our Battle for Burleigh series – have been building for some time.

The ongoing state election campaign, and the tragic death of 22-year-old Cameron Duce following an alleged assault in the early hours of Sunday September 22, have crystallised the issues for many.

Thanks to an onslaught of development and the arrival of light rail, is an area until now best known for its surf breaks about to transform into the Gold Coast’s third late-night party hub after Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach?

And if so, should it also be declared a Safe Night Precinct?

The jury is very much out.

Bustling James Street in Burleigh Heads. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

On the plus side, Safe Night Precincts improve the safety of patrons by forcing the use of ID scanners at licenced venues.

Arguably, part of Burleigh’s problem could be that people banned from Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach can go there instead. Make Burleigh a Safe Night Precinct, and they will be barred from venues there too.

But there are also significant downsides. Venues may sell alcohol until 3am. And the declaration of a Safe Night Precinct may just encourage further operators to move into the area, a prospect not lost on councillor Josh Martin.

“We don’t want to set the tone so that it is going to become a night precinct because Burleigh has a unique night-time economy. It’s got fantastic bars but we don’t want to replicate Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise because it’s a totally different speed of economy,” he said.

“I don’t want to pave the way for nightclubs, but at the same time if there are concerns about safety then we need to figure out what we can do to ensure it’s a safe destination.”

Councillor Josh Martin. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

The reality is declaring Burleigh a Safe Night Precinct would be a dreadful mistake. The Gold Coast needs the Burleigh we have now, with its own distinct character and identity. Paving the way for nightclubs could very much threaten that.

There are measures that can be taken to help which fall short of declaring a Safe Night Precinct. Police are already pumping more resources into the area on Friday and Saturday nights, and working closely with licence holders.

Extending the council CCTV network in Burleigh would also be a major boost.

“Anything that the council can do on the CCTV footage side of things is welcome by us,” Superintendent Peter Miles said.

Here’s another point that many don’t consider. The light rail extension to Burleigh, much maligned by some, instead of promoting a greater night-time economy, may actually help provide an argument against it.

Why would the Gold Coast need a third nightclub precinct in Burleigh when the existing pair in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise will be so easy to reach quickly and safely by light rail?

Burleigh is changing. But not to the extent that drastic measures are needed.

Let’s leave the nightclubs and the Safe Night Precincts at Surfers and Broadbeach where they belong.

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Originally published as Burleigh is changing – but making it a Safe Night Precinct would be a mistake