Editorial: We need to save Brisbane night-life

We owe it to our visitors to ensure Brisbane is at its vibrant best well before the 2032 Games, writes the editor.

The news that Queensland Premier Steven Miles is considering appointing a dedicated Brisbane night-time commissioner will be well received by those who run inner-city pubs, clubs, music venues and restaurants, as well as legions of increasingly frustrated night owls.

A spokeswoman for Mr Miles said his government was open to working with operators to address challenges and would investigate the viability of a dedicated night-life economy commissioner or expanding the responsibilities of an appropriate existing role.

Those challenges were best illustrated this month when live music institution The Zoo at Fortitude Valley announced it was closing after 32 years, unable to cope with rising operating costs and decreasing returns.

Some – but certainly not all – of the issues facing the late-night hospitality industry concern the suite of laws introduced in 2016 following the death of 18-year-old Cole Miller in a one-punch attack in The Valley.

In the true style of the premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government, the laws were introduced without proper consultation with the hospitality industry.

They include last drinks being called at 3am and the mandatory scanning of IDs on entry after 10pm.

They have had an impact on crime statistics in entertainment precincts, although with fewer revellers now heading to these areas late at night a drop in assaults may be a direct result of decreased patronage.

The laws have also had an impact on the bottom line of the venues, which have had to hire ID scanning equipment and a security guard to operate them.

Since the introduction of the laws business operators have also had to cope with Covid and a cost-of-living crisis that has impacted customers’ discretionary income.

Like any laws, the Safe Night Precinct arrangements deserve to be reviewed. Or even better, a permanent reviewer should be appointed: a commissioner.

This isn’t a job for anyone. We essentially need someone who is nocturnal, someone who understands Brisbane after dark – someone who is full-time and independent, and who can establish a proper investigation if they see fit.

John Collins, who owns Newstead venue The Triffid and The Fortitude Music Hall in Fortitude Valley and is better known as J.C. from Powderfinger, has been touted for the job and seems perfect.

This is not an issue of safety versus profitability. The venue operators have a vested interest in putting safety first, knowing how quickly a bad reputation can hurt their business.

But perhaps instead of trying to weed out troublemakers at the door – creating long lines and convincing many revellers to give up and go home – the security guards could be best employed outside the venues on the streets, where trouble usually breaks out.

In 2032 Brisbane will join other world-class cities like London, Paris, Los Angeles and Tokyo when we host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As well as being bustling business centres, those cities all boast a vibrant night-life that pours billions into their economies.

At the very least we owe it to our visitors to ensure Brisbane is at its vibrant best well before the Games.

And the first step to achieving that is to appoint a night-time commissioner.

RAIL IS REAL GAMES LEGACY

Way back in 2015, when South East Queensland mayors began discussing the possibility of a bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, one of the major selling points was that it would force the expedition of major infrastructure projects.

With the revelation in The Courier-Mail today of federal funding to build the Sunshine Coast rail spur line from Beerwah to Caloundra, we are finally seeing that vision become a reality.

And while we would have loved to have seen funding for the project all the way to its planned terminus at Maroochydore, beggars can’t be choosers in the current cash crisis, and Caloundra is a good start.

An additional $1.15bn in funding from the Albanese government will bring the Commonwealth’s total contribution to $2.75bn, allowing the state government to start construction on the $5.5bn project in 2026 and have it ready by 2032.

And while we have quite rightly criticised the state government for its lack of focus on Games legacy, this funding boost deserves praise, with both Premier Steven Miles and his transport minister Bart Mellish lobbying the federal government to secure the funds for Queensland.

A train link to our magnificent Sunshine Coast beaches has been a dream for decades. This is a win for all Queenslanders.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: We need to save Brisbane night-life