Norton Music Factory proposes brewery, dining for Caloundra venue

Several key groups have thrown their support behind a proposal to open a brewery alongside a current guitar workshop in an effort to bolster night-time entertainment on the Sunshine Coast.

A current music venue and guitar workshop have revealed their new plans.

Plans to open a brewery alongside an existing guitar workshop in order to offer both a dining and live music experience on the Sunshine Coast have been revealed.

The proposal for 13 Bronwyn Street, Caloundra West, was submitted to Sunshine Coast Council by Plan A Town Planning on behalf of Liam Norton.

The development application was submitted in regards to a medium-impact industry use, being a brewery and guitar workshop, with hotel use.

It is intended for the business to produce beverages and guitars for wholesale and, subject to the hotel use, provide food and alcoholic drinks alongside entertainment.

The site currently houses the Norton Music Factory, a venue providing custom guitars and a venue for live music, but the now closed Caloundra Gym and Caloundra Fitness Centre shares the same address.

Application documents state the building currently houses a gym, with approval for related services including a gym and sauna.

Documents show the live entertainment includes the use of their own manufactured guitars on site.

Actual hotel accommodation will not be included in the development.

Requesting hotel use for a site in a medium impact industry zone means the application will be subject to impact assessment.

Documents state it is common for breweries serving food and drinks to open in Queensland industrial areas.

A render of the building proposed to house a brewery alongside a currently existing music venue and guitar workshop. Photo: Aedis Design

It has also been suggested in documents there will be no air or noise impacts on the suburb’s residents as the brewery site remains separated from “sensitive land use”.

Documents state there will be no changes to the building, excluding the construction of roofing for the carpark.

Some spaces of the existing car park will also be removed in favour of additional storage and a “more prominent” front entrance.

Documents read the shortfall in parking space will be substituted with street parking, which would be available due to the venue’s late opening hours.

The application referenced studies undertaken by the University of the Sunshine Coast which had identified a connection between the decline of live music venues and the regions worsening economic performance.

“The study findings published under the document ‘The Sunshine Coast Night-Time Economy’ have concluded that there are improvements to the local economy which can be implemented at a planning level to facilitate development that generates night-time entertainment options,” documents state.

An overhead view of the building proposed to house a brewery alongside a currently existing music venue and guitar workshop. Photo: NearMap

Letters of support were also attached to the application, written by the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective, QMusic and Caloundra Chamber of Commerce.

Letters from the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective and the chamber both state the Norton Music Factory currently plays a vital role in region’s night-time economy, and their new plans would not only provide them long-term sustainability

The letter by QMusic also stated the proposal would provide job opportunities, contribute to economic activity and tourism and foster collaboration between the creative industries and Sunshine Coast businesses.

Originally published as Norton Music Factory proposes brewery, dining for Caloundra venue