After issuing the closure directive that forced the overnight shutdown of award-winning live music venue NightQuarter, Queensland Health has revoked the order.
This followed lengthy negotiations between NightQuarter, senior officials from Queensland Health, the office of MP Jarrod Bleijie and QMusic.
Queensland Health recommended that NightQuarter submit an amendment to their COVID Safe plan specifically related to ‘Seated Events’ in the NightQuarter ‘Live’ concert space.
NightQuarter submitted amendments that included a ‘Show Stop’ procedure for concerts and refined processes around seating allocation and crowd control.
Queensland Health subsequently revoked the closure directive at 5.30pm on 16th June.
NightQuarter, recently awarded ‘Best Regional Venue’ at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards, had their live music space shut down overnight last Friday by the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit.
Queensland based Country song writer/singer, Casey Barnes, was relieved that common sense had prevailed.
“The last 12 months have been extremely challenging for everyone involved in the Australian music industry. We’ve worked our backsides off over the last couple of months to promote and put on our show at the venue next week and it’s a huge relief for not only us, but all the fans that have purchased tickets, that it can go ahead as scheduled.
“NightQuarter is now able to get back to hosting some of the country’s best bands and entertainment.”
Due to the fact that the NightQuarter precinct includes a carnival amusements area, markets as well as a concert space, it is one of three destinations in South-East Queensland that do not fall under an industry plan.
NightQuarter is independently owned and operated by husband and wife Michelle Christoe and Ian van der Woude. The couple has a passion for live music and hospitality, which led them to create their unique precinct that includes night markets, carnival amusements and a concert space.
The venue was originally located on the Gold Coast before the couple relocated their shipping container-based precinct to the Sunshine Coast.
NightQuarter will be operating as usual this weekend with the night markets hosting a ‘Fire
Solstice’ weekend with fire performers, flames and 30 street food stalls. All upcoming ticketed concerts will go ahead, including the Red Hot Country Music Festival headlined by Casey Barnes next weekend on the 25th June.
NightQuarter is located in Birtinya and the night markets open every
Friday and Saturday 4pm-10pm and monthly Sundays 12pm-7pm.
