State snubs music venue
DESPITE strong public support for NightQuarter to find a home at the Health and Knowledge Precinct, the move looks impossible as the State Government signs up new tenants.
The Bulletin can reveal the State Government has signed a contract with Griffith University to bring in next generation biomedical and industrial businesses in the precinct.
A contract has been signed with Advanced Design and Prototyping Technology Centre as the flagship institute.
The precinct will also welcome Belgium-based Materialise, a global pioneer in 3D printing, when it relocates its Australian headquarters to the Gold Coast.
The State Government is developing Cohort, a new shared workspace for start-ups and entrepreneurs with small businesses, in a bid to see the $5 billion precinct fulfil its promise.
A government source told the Bulletin: “The vast majority of people living there (at the Commonwealth Games Village) are doctors and nurses. They’re shift workers.
“It is not a party precinct.” A Facebook poll conducted by Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, which has now closed, found only 23 per cent of residents supported NightQuarter moving to Metricon Stadium at Carrara. NightQuarter left its site at Helensvale because the Westfield shopping centre operator, Scentre Group, and the state-owned Queensland Investment Corporation decided to hike rent by more than 100 per cent.
Mr O’Connor said “the empty block of bitumen up for lease by the Government off Smith St” at the entrance to the Health and Knowledge Precinct would be the best spot.
NightQuarter owners Ian Van De Woude and Michelle Christoe were considering options, but Metricon involved challenges, including not having a domed venue for live shows.
“I think the Brisbane-centric Labor Government needs to look at the map to see that Carrara is not part of the northern Gold Coast,” Mr O’Connor said.
After NightQuarter closed in late February and petitioners urged the State Government to find a new home for the food and live entertainment venue, Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon worked on a deal with Stadiums Queensland, which has Gold Coast Suns backing and is reported to be close to being finalised.
Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said science and technology businesses in one hub would reshape the Coast’s economy.
“We’re bringing together some of the world’s most cutting edge technology businesses to set up shop on the Coast because we recognise the value of having all the experts in one spot,” Ms Jones said.
“High-value jobs are one thing. But it’s about developing a thriving precinct that will diversify the Gold Coast economy.
“Thanks to the Government’s multi-billion investment in Gold Coast Health, the Coast already had one of the country’s best tertiary hospitals before the (Commonwealth) Games.”