A Sunshine Coast brewery is seeking to amend its existing council approval to allow more live entertainment.
Blackflag Brewing has lodged a minor change application with Sunshine Coast Council for its premises at 10 Lomandra Place, Coolum Beach, targeting a condition that restricts amplified music.
Condition 13 of the development permit, issued in November 2021, bans music played through electronic amplification equipment, including electric guitars and loudspeakers.
It still allows a singer to use a microphone and permits domestic-scale equipment for background music.
The application comes as Blackflag’s Facebook page promotes a series of upcoming live music events at its Coolum venue.
A November 28 event is being promoted with The Screaming Jets, Beddy Rays, Pricey and several other acts, while Karnivool is advertised to play on December 6.
Blackflag’s planning submission, dated October 22, seeks to have Condition 13 deleted or, alternatively, amended to link amplified music to an entertainment noise assessment prepared by Live It Acoustics.
Blackflag Brewing CEO Steve Barber provided a statement to Sunshine Coast News about the application.
“The application is simply an administrative update to align our existing development approval with our completed acoustic assessments and Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) requirements. Specifically, we are seeking to replace Condition 13 of the original DA with a reference to the professional Entertainment Noise Assessment conducted by Live It Acoustics, establishing clear acoustic management parameters for the venue.
“If approved, entertainment will remain primarily internal to the building, designed to ensure full compliance with standard regulatory sound limits. The minor change provides a formal, transparent operational framework aligned with our OLGR guidelines, rather than altering our day-to-day operations or primary focus as a local brewery.”
The report assessed a proposed stage and loudspeaker setup inside the ground-floor licensed area and found there were “no significant acoustical constraints” to the arrangement provided recommended noise limits were followed.
It also found noise from the premises could cause nuisance at surrounding properties if sound levels were not properly managed, prompting recommended limits for different times, days and monitoring locations.
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Plans show the northern roller doors remaining open for access and airflow, while the southern roller doors could be closed as a noise-control measure.
The acoustic report found the greatest flexibility for amplified entertainment would be between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
It recommended Blackflag seek separate approval from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation if it wanted higher noise levels or materially different arrangements, including louder amplified entertainment or patron use of the car park.
The brewery’s approved operating hours are listed as 10am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10am to 9pm from Sunday to Thursday.
Blackflag’s planning submission states the change is operational only, with no alterations proposed to the building, internal layout, driveway crossings, loading areas or 26 on-site car parks.
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