NightQuarter needed $4 million for Southport site

NIGHTQUARTER creators needed at least $4 million to set up in the Health & Knowledge Precinct according to the State Government.

The news comes as the business revealed its plans to move to the Sunshine Coast, after a number of failed negotiations for an alternative local precinct.

A rent rise forced the event space from the Helensvale home earlier this year.

The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (through Economic Development Queensland) confirmed yesterday it had declined a request by NightQuarter organisers for $4 million in public funds to build the infrastructure needed and move the business to the Southport site.

The decision to prevent NightQuarter from using the site was made by a number of parties.

“The unanimous view of the Gold Coast City Council, the Gold Coast Hospital & Health Service and Griffith University was that the NightQuarter food and entertainment precinct did not fit with the goals of the site,” a spokeswoman for the department said.

NightQuarter was not eligible for any state Government funding programs.

Mayor Tom Tate said he was disappointed to see the Sunshine Coast take the local icon but could not detail what steps council had taken to continue its presence locally.

Creative director of the Miami Marketta Emma Milikins said the demise of the NightQuater had not dramatically changed their crowd numbers.