Patrons want nightclub ‘passouts’

SURFERS Paradise leaders want nightclub ID scanning relaxed so patrons on a quick break don’t have to line up again as it’s proving a tourism turnoff.

It will be one year since ID scanning was made compulsory on Sunday and the State Government has launched a review of the system.

Calls are mounting for the review to look at how already scanned-in patrons can get “passouts”. This would allow them to temporarily leave a venue for a cigarette or break and re-enter without queuing to be re-scanned.

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said making patrons who left temporarily line up again was “popping up” in visitor surveys as a source of frustration.

“Finding some way to allow ‘pass-outs’ to happen in an efficient manner is difficult but it is important to resolve. We need to support the tourism experience because the night economy of Surfers Paradise is really significant,” he said.

“This is impacting the tourism experience.”

Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin, who is the boss at Bedroom and Sin City nightclubs, backed the call for a passout system to be allowed.

“At the moment people are spending more time outside the premises than inside – the queues are definitely getting longer and it means some people just don’t go out as they don’t want to line up.”

Mr Martin said overall the system had a been a success and he believed there had been “definite improvements in terms of (curbing) alcoholfuelled violence.

“It has helped Surfers Paradise reduce the number of incidents,” he said

Asked about whether she would consider allowing ‘passouts’, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath didn’t rule it out: “We’ll consider the review and consult with stakeholders before committing to any changes.”