Townsville’s hospitality problems highlighted for new Night Life Economy Commissioner

Townsville’s night life industry want fewer trading restrictions and more support from the state’s incoming Night Life czar, saying they’ve become the ‘whipping boys’ for social scourges like violence and DV.

Mad Cow owner Mark Napier would like to see a new Night Life Economy Commissioner make a range of changes. Picture: Evan Morgan.

Hot on the heels of the state government’s announcement that it would appoint a Night Life Economy Commissioner, an authority on Townsville’s night life industry has flagged several problematic issues that he says need to be addressed.

Last Monday, Premier Steven Miles revealed that a new commissioner position would be tasked with working closely with local businesses, live music venues, and entertainment precincts to create a vibrant and safe night-life environment across the state.

Funded by the latest budget, the yet-to-be appointed commissioner will partner with industry across the state to support, promote, and advocate for key aspects of the night life economy.

Mad Cow nightclub owner Mark Napier welcomed the state’s announcement, saying it was a “step in the right direction” to give the night-time economy a voice.

“Finally, the state government’s realised that the night-time economy plays a really important part to our state,” Mr Napier said.

Mad Cow owner Mark Napier has highlighted the challenges facing Townsville’s night-life businesses. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We believe we’ve been the whipping boys of many political aspects that had been thrown down to us, in relation to any forms of violence, or DV or anything else like that.”

Regularly in conversation with the region’s publicans and hospitality businesses, he said he’s been hearing concerns around the use of ID scanners, trading on public holidays, noise restrictions, taxation, and liquor-related laws.

While acknowledging the “very valid” reasons behind ID scanning, he said it was unfair that five or six venues, including his own, were required to pay staff to operate a scanner while the casino and dozens of other licenced premises were exempt.

“The casino … trades past midnight, trades past 3am closures that we have to close at, they can trade 24hrs if they want to, they don’t have eyes scanners, and they’re just down the road from us,” he said.

Some licenced premises are required to use ID Scanners while others aren’t. (Image AAP/Steve Pohlner)

Using the Good Friday NRL game as example, Mr Napier said thousands of people were able to purchase alcohol at the stadium on a public holiday.

“There was nowhere to go for them afterwards, because we’re all closed, we weren’t allowed to trade, yet the casino was allowed to trade,” he said.

“It just doesn’t make sense. They need to look at … all these trading restrictions in and around public holidays, because it’s a disadvantage for businesses.

“Live music venues that have been trading for decades now are having to close down because of all the bureaucracy that goes on … (with) noise complaints and not enough done to support them.”

The Mad Cow on Flinders Street East is facing a range of operating challenges.

Mr Napier has called for tax reform to reduce the cost burden on licenced venues paying taxes on GST, payroll, group payroll, land, liquor, stamp duty, gambling, and income, as well as liquor and music licence fees, electricity, gas, wages, penalties and super.

He also wants a review on liquor licences, to be able to advertise a price point, and for increased local and state funding to better support businesses and improve amenities.

Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire / Dan Peled

A spokesman for the Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum said they recognised that regional Queensland faced unique challenges and opportunities for a thriving night-life economy.

“That’s why we have committed to appointing a dedicated Night Life Economy Commissioner, backed by real, dedicated funding in our Budget that also supports the sector’s customers with record cost of living relief,” the spokesman said.

“Once appointed, the Commissioner will partner with key industry representatives from across Queensland’s night life economy.

“Only Labor can deliver the urgent action and investment necessary to keep Queensland’s night-life economies safe and pumping.”

Originally published as Townsville’s hospitality problems highlighted for new Night Life Economy Commissioner