Australia’s experiment with alcohol consumption underwent a period of deregulation to encourage more civilized European or continental drinking habits. Instead, deregulation of liquor licensing resulted in the development of “entertainment precincts” in metropolitan areas, drawing people in from regions to drink and gamble, and alcohol became a feature of leisure time in Australia (Australian Family Physician, June 2014).
Councillor Amelia Lorentson’s Notice of Motion towards establishing Noosa Junction as a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in the midst of a well-established residential area consisting of families and predominantly over 50’s is not a good idea. In my view, such a proposal is a form of State Facilitated Development (SPD) process that would override existing noise requirements.
In her article “Push for precinct plan” – Noosa Today 18 Oct 2024 P. 26, Amelia states that “this is a step towards ensuring Noosa Junction becomes a place where the community can thrive and our vibrant live music and entertainment culture flourish without conflict”. Despite her good intentions, this is not true; the conflict is real and will increase. Better to maintain the status quo with existing earlier closing licensing hours (with some exceptions) and established noise controls. The residents say “The Junction has long been a home to restaurants and cafes without issue but trading as bars with a focus on alcohol and music almost every night of the week is a different thing”.
Musicians talk about self- regulation and the SEP requires the submission of acoustic reports, and potential noise attenuation measures to help meet set noise levels (e.g. 88dBA for the Nambour SEP) which under a separate by-law process is complex and with no guarantees. Under SEP’s the zoning gives the council the ability to prioritise entertainment venues over residential development. We do not need a Nambour or fortitude valley style SEP in our midst with its guaranteed problems to detract from the natural beauty and attractiveness of this area for which people come from around the world, or to disturb the local residents in any way.
Council should address all the mental health impacts such as environmental and alcohol harm, existing traffic congestion, limited access to our small recreational spaces and overdevelopment pressures taking place at the same time. Councillor Lorentson said nothing about the local residents’ very clear message that the proposal is not workable and must be moved elsewhere, or to justify her obvious “push” for a Noosa Junction SEP other than to reiterate the well-used supportive night-time economies and music industry themes used by all levels of Government in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie recognised the issues in hand (in his view) stating – “We’re wanting to strike a balance there, because we want to encourage live music and an active and vibrant live music scene. “But you know, especially in the junction, with residents so close, it has to be within reason. It’s a very difficult balance” – (ABC Sunshine Coast 26 Sep 2024)’. Neither Frank Wilkie nor Amelia Lorentson mentioned the more important, weightier, and more serious concerns expressed by the local residents, the alcohol, the anti-social behaviour, the domestic violence, their safety or the external pressures of over-development and over tourism faced by them.
Council at a scheduled Special Meeting on Thursday, 12 December 2024, will deliberate on the proposed amendment. What the local residents are seeking from Council is to have their rights protected, not eroded. Noosa Police Senior Constable Mark Jones stated it quite bluntly “One victim of domestic violent is one to many.” The statistics and the reality on the ground demand that Council reject the proposed amendment.
It is time to say enough is enough. Sandy Bolton stated it quite well (Noosa Today 12/08/2023) – “It is time to be vigilant and for all to get involved as we do not need any additional strain on our environment, infrastructure and amenities, nor the character and built environment that makes Noosa a unique destination and home”.
(Johann Holdysz is a Tewantin resident, former Acting Shire Planner/Strategic Planner/Special Projects Officer – Noosa Shire Council, former Acting Principal Town Planner, Department of Housing, Qld – Development Consultant.)
