A popular Australian tourist destination has become a battleground as fired-up locals clash over a proposal to allow bars and restaurants to operate until midnight.
The heated debate has erupted around the Noosa Junction Hospitality Precinct in Noosa Heads, a picturesque coastal town in southeast Queensland. Noosa Junction is a short walk over Noosa Hill from Hastings Street and boasts bars, restaurants, coffee shops, night markets and fashion boutiques. Venues in 'The Junga', as it's known in the area, feature local bands, DJs, karaoke and open mic nights, and draws in locals and tourists alike.
Noosa Shire Council has received submissions from local residents in response to their Proposed 2020 Planning Scheme Amendments, which could see trading hours extended to midnight seven days a week. The proposed amendments have split the close-knit community, with two opposing petitions expressing their concerns over the move. Some locals are in total support of encouraging more nightlife at Noosa Junction while others fear the laid-back charm of Noosa will be shattered.
The Divide Over Noosa's Nightlife
A letterbox campaign and petition are encouraging residents to raise their concerns with Noosa Shire Council. Some residents argue that by extending operating hours, Noosa Junction will become a 'seven-day nightlife hub' with increased noise pollution and traffic. The petition to stop Noosa Junction from becoming a 'seven-day nightlife hub' has been launched in response to the proposed changes. Locals behind the campaign have raised concerns that 'no impact assessments were done' and that there will be 'unintended outcomes'.
These include noise pollution, nuisance from increased traffic and various security and crime issues related to drugs and alcohol. The petition claims community consultation wasn't undertaken and there is a 'lack of clarity' on provisions for music and entertainment. The petition author, Peter Stuehrenberg, said live and recorded music that exceeds maximum noise levels and time limits will 'become unbearable' for residents.
'This is not just for us, but for the future generations who will call Noosa home,' he wrote on the campaign, which at time of writing has just over 300 signatures. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Mr Stuehrenberg wrote, 'No resident is against entertainment. However if the associated noise or sound is so much that it impacts sleep and that everyday until late at night into the mornings than this will become an issue for all involved. Therefore we need a consultative approach which will take time to get it right for all stakeholders.'
The Counterargument: 'Save Our Music. Save Our Nightlife'
The Noosa Junction Association (NJA) has hit back with its own petition; 'Save our music. Save our nightlife. Don't let the lights go out in Noosa Junction'. The petition has so far gained over 4,300 signatures. The NJA said the 'The Junga' caters for a range of different groups including 'young families, early diners, bar hoppers, backpackers and night owls'. 'Live music is a big part of that offer - it's our beating heart. It supports our local nighttime economy and local jobs. It brings people of all ages together,' it said.
NJA marketing manager Judi Lalor described the regulations around music as 'quite outdated and draconian'. Some locals say Noosa Junction has been an integral part of the community for decades with live music the 'beating heart' of the much-loved coastal town. 'We think there's a compromise to enable live music in Noosa Junction, but also to work in with our local community and our residents,' she said. 'So there might be a compromise where the decibel limit could be lifted a little bit or where they're measuring the decibel limit from could be changed. But it doesn't necessarily mean that we're saying all venues should have music till midnight.'
Finding Common Ground
Ms Lalor said NJA is willing to work with the council to set what they believe is a more reasonable decibel level. 'We're in an urban street with transport and the regulation for restaurants and small bars is 75 decibels,' she said. 'So that's really not viable for any sort of even acoustic music with a guitar or things like that. 75 decibels is basically a conversation. Buses are louder going past. So we're asking for some changes, some reasonable changes.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Noosa Shire Council for comment.
The debate over Noosa Junction's future highlights a common struggle in many communities: balancing the needs of residents and businesses, particularly when it comes to entertainment and nightlife. The outcome of this dispute will likely set a precedent for other coastal towns and cities facing similar challenges. The question remains: will Noosa maintain its laid-back charm or embrace a more vibrant nightlife scene?
