Queensland Health defends actions after venue loses over $100k and closes down

The health department has stood by its handling of a Sunshine Coast venue during Covid after the live music site shut this week citing more than $100,000 in pandemic setbacks.

The $8m NightQuarter venue on the Sunshine Coast opened in November 2020.

Queensland Health has defended its actions towards a leading Sunshine Coast venue, after the owners shut up shop and partly credited the closure to excessive scrutiny from the state government health body.

NightQuarter in Birtinya announced on Monday that it would shut its doors immediately after two years of struggling through Covid-19 restrictions, a “very” public shutdown by Queensland Health and dwindling crowd numbers.

Co-owner Michelle Christoe said issues with the establishment had been compounding over the past two years but it was the ever-changing Covid-19 restrictions and aftermath of the pandemic lockdowns that had pushed the business to its limits.

“We were fined by Queensland Health just last week for over $10,000 for people dancing at Spacey Jane in June last year,” she said.

“And lost over $100,000 in income along with the cancellation of a San Cisco ticket event over a series of alleged breaches.”

NightQuarter was raided and shut down in 2021 for alleged breaches of Covid-19 rules.

Ms Christoe said they had been specifically targeted by Queensland Health.

“They were ready to pounce as soon as the patrons stood up to dance. We know that this behaviour was happening in other venues both state wide and on the Sunshine Coast – not to mention very publicly and lawfully happening at sports games – and yet we were dragged over the coals,” she said.

She questioned whether their outcry over the differences in rules for sport and live music had contributed to the attention the venue received from authorities.

A Queensland Health spokesperson said their actions were appropriate in response to the risk of Covid-19.

“It was our responsibility to keep the community safe, and that’s exactly what we did,” they said.

The spokesperson said Queensland Health had endeavoured to work with industries and businesses to help them operate in a COVID-safe manner.

“Unfortunately, not all businesses chose to do so, and enforcement action was necessary in some instances,” they said.

NightQuarter owners Ian Van der Woude and Michelle Christoe were vocal about Covid-19 restrictions being applied differently to the music and sport industries. Picture Lachie Millard

Ms Christoe said her and her partner Ian Van der Woude had lost their house as a result and were devastated by the decision.

She said that the closure had impacted 40 staff members, both permanent and casual, and over 20 contractors.

Elizabeth Van Den Broek ran a psychic and gift stall at NightQuarter and has had to cancel a Christmas market event scheduled for next week.

“I‘m in the process of doing reimbursements,” she said.

“We have all struggled this year. It is a sad day for the Sunshine Coast.”

NightQuarter, originally a Gold Coast entertainment staple, found a new home on the Sunshine Coast and was set to open in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

After finally opening in November 2020, the venue won the ‘Best Regional Venue’ twice at the Queensland Music Awards and quickly became a hub for locals and live music.

The top 40-31 most powerful people in the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, 2022

But ever-changing Covid-19 restrictions and the Omicron wave saw the venue in some strife.

The beleaguered NightQuarter was also targeted by a sophisticated email scam and flooded in February this year, with ongoing wet weather and storms causing multiple cancellations.

“The lack of consumer confidence following unprecedented cancellations, soaring costs and the exodus of talent from the hospitality and entertainment industries have been chipping away at us and ultimately brought us here,” Ms Christoe said.

Ms Christoe said she still believed in the Sunshine Coast’s music industry and encouraged locals to get out and support venues and musicians.

“We have seen first hand how many passionate musicians and industry workers there are here,” she said.

“We believe in the industry and the people working here – but it’s tough for everyone.”

Originally published as Queensland Health defends actions after venue loses over $100k and closes down