Moving clubs ‘silly’ debate

THE fuming head of the Surfers Paradise nightclub lobby is slamming calls for bars to move elsewhere, saying the “preposterous” suggestion is “never going to happen”.

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said those calling for Orchid Ave nightclubs to relocate because of a clash with family-friendly tourism were a minority and he was perplexed at the debate flaring five years raised.

Architect Desmond Brooks, responsible for landmark Gold Coast buildings Palazzo Versace and Soul tower, reignited calls for relocation last month, suggesting Orchid Ave’s “trashy, sleaze joints” bugger off to Bundall.

He said it was a clash with the well-heeled type of guest staying at the Hilton on that street.

Gold Coast-based Federal Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo and Ray White Surfers Paradise after it was first CEO Andrew Bell chimed in, saying they supported the night economy but it couldn’t coexist and thrive alongside family-friendly aspects of Surfers Paradise.

Mr Bell said council and the state government needed to consider incentivising venues to shift to Southport near China Town, light rail and hospitals.

But Mr Martin, general manager of popular Orchid Ave late-night clubs Bedroom and Sin City, said nightspots were co-existing better than ever with family-friendly Surfers especially since Labor introduced 3am last drinks.

Most club-goers were now home in bed by the time people started rising and walking the beachfront from 5am.

Mr Martin said Surfers had had a tough enough time in the past five years with the disruption of the light rail build ripping up main thoroughfares.

“A lot of businesses in Surfers Paradise would actually die without the nightclubs,” he said. “I don’t know why they are even having this conversation.

“Ninety per cent of these people calling for it probably haven’t been to Surfers in 20 years. It’s a silly comment from a minority.

“We are OK trying to coexist with everyone. There no problem there.

“You can’t be pushing your family-friendly agenda for an area that is licensed for the number of clubs this place is and then turn around and say it is not working.

“It is never, ever going to happen – ever. What a lot of people forget is this town was built around the hospitality industry years ago.”

LNP Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek said it was too late to consider relocating nightclubs. is

A LOT OF BUSINESSES IN SURFERS PARADISE WOULD ACTUALLY DIE WITHOUT THE NIGHTCLUBS.