NIGHT ‘CZAR’ POSITIVE MOVE

There should be no doubt about the importance of a thriving night economy to this city’s overall welfare.

It is not just what represents in terms of being a key part of the Gold Coast’s long held reputation as “famous for fun”.

It is also plain to see in terms of cold hard dollars.

An assessment several years ago into the value of the Surfers Paradise precinct after dark – available from Surfers Paradise Alliance – showed the “direct and flow-on output” resulting from the Surfers Paradise Precinct night economy sat at $3.5 billion. It created $1.6b worth of gross value add. The output and gross value add resulted in $946 million in incomes paid to households. The direct and indirect employment was measured at 19,038 full time equivalent (FTE) positions.

That is something worth protecting and ensuring is a leading driver for the city.

Hence the support from city leaders to create a new civic role dubbed the “night mayor” or “night czar”, as it is referred to in some places overseas.

It is no gimic and now an established role in global powerhouses such as London, New York and Ambsterdam.

The establishment of the position would be no disrespect to city Mayor Tom Tate who has been a staunch champion for the night economy. In fact, he has previously put on record his support for looking at relaxing liquor licensing hours during the Commonwealth Games fortnight.

But the role would be a powerful focal point and lobby for boosting the city’s nightlife offering and guarding against things which might damage it.

The disastrous open-air urinal trial in Surfers Paradise several years ago – aimed at solving the problem of public piddlers – is one example which stands out.

It caused international embarrasment before Mayor Tate, overseas at the time, ordered it to be shutdown immediately.

More recently, the Commonwealth Games Federation called for the city to seriously consider a rethink of its restaurant scene hours when visiting top brass were made to feel guilty for dining soon after 9pm.

The logistics of the role are still to be worked out but it is an idea that has plenty of merit and should be taken further.