Protest Plans To Shutdown Brisbane’s Lockdown
News posted Thursday, March 11 2010 at 12:00 PM.
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More than 2000 Queenslanders are expected to take to the streets today (March 11) in protest of a proposed new lockdown that will see inner-city venues in Brisbane shut at 2am.
The curfew, which will also include a midnight lockout, is currently being weighed up by the Queensland Government and Police Department Union, who are looking to stem alcohol-fuelled violence in the city.
While the results of their inquiry won’t be handed down until March 18, lobby group Queensland Locked Out believe that the proposed change could cripple Brisbane’s live music and club scene. Despite the imposition of a 3am lockout in 2006, many venues in the Fortitude Valley precinct including The Alhambra Lounge and Ric’s Bar are licensed until 5am.
Rally organiser Zach Salar said the reduced trading hours could have significant financial implications for venues, as well as tarnish Brisbane’s reputation as destination for touring bands.
“Venues are worried about international live bands coming through perceiving Brisbane as a sleepy town,” Salar, a local DJ, told M+N. “People won’t be able to go out for a drink after seeing a band either. Having these restrictions put onto Queensland means that a lot of people are just going to leave.”
Salar said the lockdown is a short-term political fix to the problem of alcohol-related violence. He advocates a more “holistic” solution that includes prosecution of violent crime, increased police presence and a more responsible approach to the service of alcohol.
“We’re backing the police. Give them more funding, give them more money because at the end of the day we want safer streets, we want a safer entertainment precinct.”
Salar said last month’s SLAM rally in Melbourne, which saw 20,000 people protest the Victorian Government’s liquor licensing regime, was particularly inspiring, although the Queensland Locked Out rally has been in the works for several months.
“Maybe there should be a national protest, because this is starting to become a problem around Australia,” he said.
The Queensland Locked Out rally will take place at 4pm outside Parliament House in Brisbane’s CBD. For more information click here.
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Oh dear. This tactic NEVER works.
So, you lock dickheads out of clubs so they can parade the streets in order to reduce violence.... Seems strange.
Last time I went to The Valley (about 12 months ago) I actually felt sick due to the hardcore! violence.
What's the solution?
Wonderful Valley, you've changed, man.
ABC's Stateline story / video here.
They make it look like a battle field.
Bring in capital punishment so we can cull the shitcunts. Its the only thing that'll work
liked this comment in the abc report:
it was fine there lateish a few weeks ago but fyi 'entertainment precincts' ala the valley are out of fashion with urban planners these days.
interesting that this protest is jointly by clubs and live music venues
Thanks for the support M+N!! xx
Indeed. Word!
yes, thumbs up! unfortunately it doesn't look likely that i can make it today, which is a total shame... but fingers crossed!
I have been living in the valley and attending live music venues and Clubs for the last 6 years. Not once have I ever felt unsafe.
I have witnessed violence, the odd brawl, but they are far and few between.
I had the pleasure of going to my first football game 6 months ago, I saw more fighting in the stands then I have in the last 6 years going to the valley.
I should add that the fights (well, beatings actually) were all in the Valley Mall as oposed to any of the venues.
I think since the lockout came in things have gotten more hairy in the valley. Prior to then, I'd be a lot more comfortable walking in areas alone. A lot of that is due to demographic change / style of venues opened, but the lockout made it more dangerous as the gradual exodus by taxi/car/foot of people that previously occured became more bottlenecked. Earlier closing times will mean a six o'clock swill-esque effort of getting pissed beforehand, people leaving early, and still be awake/wired enough to get angry and punchy in the heat/humidity.
I think that the QPS proposal looks to be more of a conversation starter, and tha there are enough vested interests against a midnight lockout/2am curfew, for it not to go ahead... Still, can not afford to be complacent. Will be interesting to see whether being in mid electoral cycle rather than pre-election mode will make things better or worse.
yeah, the mall is gross and kind of scary, and that stuff will get worse with more people hanging out on the street if there are earlier curfews.
I was told last night a grand total of 16 police are stationed in the valley on Friday and Saturday nights.
Have they sorted out the lack-of-cabs situation?
Never understood why there wasn't a bus service. That cab line use to be a fucking killer and VERY hairy.
Security City
cabs don't seem to be as bad as they used to be. there is a bus service, a few late night ones that go along the major bus routes. or at least there was, i've not needed to use them so not totally in the loop.
There are more buses, but the cab line is still a disaster. I found a solution. Move to the valley. No more cabs of public transport for me!
Cool.
I lived in The Valley WAY back in 2002 and had many good times.
When I moved to The Gap (for green trees and a swimming pool) I would leave the Brunswick Mall before 3am so I could grab a cab in peace.
I wasn't involved in the music scene up there much but I remember Q-Music doing a good job when The Valley was hit with noise issues. Are Q-Music involved again?
Yeah they are still kicking around. I really don't understand. The government puts so much money into funding the live music scene and artistic culture in Brisbane, putting on events, paying for Queensland acts to go overseas so SXSW, Musexpo. They even made the valley the first live entertainment precinct in the country, and now they are pulling this bullshit.
It's quickly destroying everything we have worked so hard to create.