Caloundra South axe throwing business shut down amid zoning dispute

The state government has forced the closure of a popular Sunshine Coast axe-throwing business eight months after its opening. Read why here:

A musician turned businessman is warning others after his successful venture got the axe in a state government crackdown at a growing Sunshine Coast hub.

Danny Constable’s Mad Axe axe throwing business was shut down in January after he unknowingly opened at the Aura business and industrial park without the right zoning.

Mr Constable said the dilemma has cost him more than $100,000 and he fears other sport and recreational businesses in the growing Caloundra South area could suffer the same fate.

“I don’t have the funds to start again and I’d be very hesitant to navigate the bureaucratic minefield of opening another sporting business,” he said.

“These people are sitting in an office running a red pen through these businesses and impacting lives.

Danny Constable had his axe-throwing business at Aura closed down by the state government after they found he did not have the right zoning. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“They have every right to do this but morally and ethically, I don’t understand why they weren’t stopping people wasting their money in the first place.”

Mr Constable opened the business after his work as a singer and guitarist dried up amid Covid-19.

But in October, 2021, he was slapped with a notice from Economic Development Queensland that revealed he was operating unlawfully.

The notice advised he needed state government approval to open a sport and recreational facility in the industrial park.

Mr Constable was given three months to gain approval or shut down.

Danny Constable said he was unaware he had to submit a development application for his axe throwing business. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A Department of State Development spokesman said indoor sport and recreation was generally supported in the business park, but approval must be given first.

“EDQ was made aware of the issue late last year when it received a formal complaint in relation to a business operating without town planning approval,” he said in a statement.

“As a result EDQ is now investigating.”

The spokesman said those who purchased industrial land from developer Stockland were provided “clear information” about town planning approval processes.

“It is the developer’s responsibility when seeking and securing tenants to ensure they gain town planning approval for certain uses,” they said.

Mr Constable said when he leased the building he was told it had the correct zoning.

He initially wanted to open the business at Warana but the site he considered was not suitable, according to the Sunshine Coast Council.

Mr Constable acknowledged he should have inquired further about the zoning but was upset it took the government almost 12 months to tell him he was operating illegally.

Caloundra South was declared a Priority Development Area in 2010 which means land uses and changes at the Stockland masterplanned community need government approval.

Mr Constable said the business had regular customers and created a sense of community.

“It was very successful, I was paying myself a wage and I’d hired two staff and was still making a profit on top of that,” he said.

“We had about 8o to 100 customers per week.”

Mr Constable engaged a town planner to complete the application but an Economic Development Queensland representative said it was “highly unlikely” to gain approval.

The EDQ planner said in an email to Mr Constable that he was operating out of a low impact industrial complex that was “not intended or designed” for indoor sport and recreational use.

She said his business would need a stand-alone facility with dedicated parking.

A Stockland spokesman said they were aware of the situation and would continue to work with Economic Development Queensland and third party developers.

“Stockland ensures accurate representations to third party developers about town planning approval processes required for land uses as well as their responsibilities when seeking and securing tenants, and this holds true in this instance,” they said in a statement.

Originally published as Caloundra South axe throwing business shut down amid zoning dispute