Bars add to scanners
Extra ID devices vital for cutting queues
CAIRNS nightclubs will invest in more ID scanners to avoid lengthy delays for patrons waiting to get inside.
Gilligan’s operations manager Ross McFarlane said there were about 350 people lined up outside the venue by 11pm over the weekend with some people waiting up to 40 minutes.
“We have three scanners in the venue, but we’re looking to increase that to five to speed up service,” he said.
“There are safety issues having that many people on the street unattended.”
Patrons are required to have their ID scanned at Safe Night Precinct venues for entry and re-entry after 10pm.
However, Mr McFarlane said several international passports did not fit inside the ScanTech device, and some foreign driver’s licenses were not accepted, adding to delays and patron’s frustrations.
Mr McFarlane and Woolshed managing director Dominic Davies said the influx of 1200 US Navy men in Cairns also made the weekend one of the busiest of the year.
Mr Davies said venues using the new system, coinciding with larger than usual crowds in the nightclub precinct, was a huge factor.
“I think that any disruptions with queues will decrease dramatically this weekend,” he said. “It’s not going to be an inconvenience for patrons.”
He plans to increase from one to two scanners due to the volume of people who attended his venue.
Mr Davies said the second scanner was expected to arrive in time for this weekend.
“We weren’t scanning everyone, just the high-risk patrons, and now by law we have to,” he said.
“These scanners are going to improve the safety for all people attending venues and the CBD.”
Mr Davies lauded the rollout of the ScanTech devices across Cairns.
“It’s going to help us identify the violent people,” he said.
“Long term, it’s the way to go and I strongly support it.”
Mr McFarlane said his frustrations over the new system were shared with other venues across Cairns.
“It was brought in with relatively low information and education to the general public,” he said.