Noosa’s hospitality sector is bracing for another disrupted Easter long weekend, with industry leaders warning outdated Queensland trading laws will force some venues to close or restrict services during one of the region’s busiest tourism periods.
The Queensland Hotels Association (QHA) has issued an urgent call for the State Government to reform public holiday liquor licensing and trading regulations ahead of Good Friday and ANZAC Day, saying the current rules are hurting operators and frustrating visitors.
QHA chief executive Bernie Hogan said a “complicated patchwork” of restrictions would again impact pubs, cafés, restaurants, resorts and entertainment precincts across the state – including major tourism destinations such as Noosa.
“We’ve got six public holidays in the space of a month and an unworkable assortment of restrictions governing them all,” Mr Hogan said.
“Take Good Friday. You have visitors coming to Queensland in droves, checking into hotels to enjoy a few days in a state famed for its hospitality but they can’t even order a cocktail by the pool. It’s not a great way to start your long weekend.
“All we’re asking is to allow venue operators to trade as they normally would any other day of the year.”
Under current arrangements, venues face strict limitations on alcohol service hours and trading conditions on certain public holidays. The QHA argues the laws, introduced in 1992, have not been properly reviewed in more than three decades.
With only weeks until Easter, the association says reform is urgently needed to bring Queensland into line with other states.
In Noosa, where tourism underpins the local economy, the debate over extended trading hours intersects with broader concerns about the region’s limited night-time economy.
Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said: “I value feedback from our local community and businesses regarding, should any changes come before Parliament, and encourage everyone to contact us via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au” Ms Bolton said.
Noosa Chamber of Commerce president Ralph Rogers said Noosa does not significantly benefit from night-time trade, citing planning regulations and rising operational costs as key barriers.
“Noosa doesn’t benefit significantly from the night-time economy primarily because of town planning regulation and indeed Noosa Council has in some instances hindered the development of this sector with restrictions on live music in particular recently,” Mr Rogers said.
He said the costs of operating at night – including penalty rates and mandatory security requirements – made it challenging for smaller venues.
“Late night venues may well require additional services, in particular security including functioning security cameras – something various business associations have been asking for for some time – especially for the Junction,” he said.
Mr Rogers noted that while extended public holiday trading could benefit some operators in Noosa, the primary beneficiaries would likely be larger hotels, several of which are owned by national groups.
“To make night-time trade work on a regular basis you need size and scale,” he said.
“Retrofitting premises for serious night-time trade to meet today’s noise limitations is challenging and expensive.”
The QHA said its members were not arguing against penalty rates for staff working public holidays, but wanted venues to be able to trade freely enough to make opening viable.
“Our patrons tell us constantly that they want us to open on public holidays,” Mr Hogan said.
The association is urging patrons and business owners in Noosa and across Queensland to raise their concerns with local MPs ahead of the Easter long weekend.
