New nightlife plans leave hospitality industry shortchanged
The state’s peak hotels body fears the state government’s new Night-life Economy Action Plan fails to meet vital hospitality industry reform.
Queensland Hotels Association has criticised the State Government’s new Night-life Economy Action Plan for falling short of much-needed hospitality industry reform saying it was “only a small step forward”.
The State Government released its action plan this morning with the QHA saying it mainly focused on the live music sector, the action plan released in response to Night-Life Commissioner John Collins making 62 recommendations and finding that the industry is being constrained more by regulation than demand.
Today’s plan outlined a modernised noise complaint process, streamlined extended trading approval included as initial supports for hospitality, while further liquor licensing reform, risk-based ID scanning changes and red tape reduction have been flagged for further work.
Other initiatives included a new special event trading framework, the implementation of Safe Night Precincts, removing unnecessary red tape for venues and a new Nightlife Precinct Activation Program as a practical safety initiative.
The action plan also outlined discounted booking fees at Sate-owned venues, with the consideration to reduce liquor license fees for grassroots venues that support live music.
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QHA Chief Executive Bernie Hogan, who sat on the Nightlife Economy Commission Advisory Panel throughout the review process, said today’s report showed some progress but more needed to be done.
Other recommendations including further liquor licensing reform, risk-based ID scanning changes and red tape reduction, have been noted or flagged for further work.
“While this report is an important step in bringing the issue to the public’s attention, the recommendations announced today leave a lot of questions unanswered for Queensland’s hospitality industry,” Hogan said.
He added that QHA was more interested in the impact of the implemented recommendations put forward rather than the number of them.
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“While this report begins the process of modernisation for Queensland, the path to meaningful reform remains unclear.”
Hogan added that QHA pushed hard through the review for extended trading hours, eased noise restrictions, simpler entry ID scanning requirements for low-risk venues and licensing fee reform.
He added that details behind these reforms still need to be resolved.
“The Queensland Government needs to be bold for the hospitality industry. It’s made up of small and family businesses, exactly the kind the Queensland Government wants to back,” Hogan said.
Night-Life Economy Commissioner John ‘JC’ Collins AM said he would continue to work on other key recommendations.
“No report or action plan is going to deliver everything everyone wants on day one, but this is a start to the process and shows a genuine commitment to Queensland’s nightlife economy,” Collins said.
In releasing the plan, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the government was backing the hospitality sector by slashing unnecessary red tape.
“A great night out starts with great venues, and we’re making it easier for them to do what they do best – showcase great food and drink, support live music and deliver the world-class hospitality experiences Queenslanders and visitors love,” she said.
“With Brisbane 2032 and a packed calendar of major events ahead, this Action Plan will ensure local venues and hospitality businesses are well positioned to leverage these opportunities, attract more visitors and maximise the economic benefits flowing into Queensland communities.”
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