Stadium curfews have been pushed back to allow for later finishing times for concerts and other live events.
The state government says its new Major Sports Facilities Bill which changed event laws will help them prepare for the 2032 Summer Olympic-Paralympic Games.
Key changes involve:
- Raising penalties for ticket scalping from $3000 to $22,531 for individuals and from $17,000 to $113,492 for corporations.
- Remove fines for buying tickets at more than 10% above the original price to encourage reporting of scalping.
- Empower Stadiums Queensland to allow concerts to finish at 10.30pm at venues like People First and Cbus Super stadiums on the Gold Coast in line with the curfew for Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
- Stopping unauthorised advertising, including the use of drones at events.
STADIUM HOSTS TATTOO
The law changes were announced just as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo completed a four-day performance at Suncorp Stadium.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday, and we will continue to bang the drum to secure major events and elevate Queensland on the world stage,” says premier David Crisafulli.
“Attracting an event of this calibre (Tattoo) reinforces Queensland’s status as a global destination and the events capital of Australia.”
Olympic and Paralympics Minister Tim Mander says the changes remove red tape to deliver more events.
“We want to secure Queensland’s place as the events capital of Australia; with the 2032 Games fast approaching, we need to seize every opportunity to attract more world-class events,” he says.
MORE QLD EVENTS NEWS: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gears up as Qld eyes $39m tourism bounty
“Queensland is the only state that penalises people for purchasing unlawfully resold tickets, creating a disincentive to report offenders.
“Removing this penalty, alongside tougher punishments for scalping, will bring Queensland in line with other states and allow us to be competitive in attracting major events.”
COOCHIN CREEK DEVELOPMENTS
The state government also approved the development of an outdoor music festival and exhibition event site at Coochin Creek near Caloundra in a decision criticised by environmentalists: click here for more on that reaction.
The government expects the Coochin Fields site to host events year-round and cater for up to 35,000 patrons but that 61 hectares of the 150-ha site to remain untouched.
The project is expected to support more than 680 jobs and generate more than $70 million annually for the Sunshine Coast.
The announcement also follows state approval of a 150-ha site tourist park at Coochin Creek.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Jarrod Bleijie says the new park is “exactly” what his government was keen to support.
“A major play and stay venue like this that can host big acts in the region is something the cultural, musical and tourism industry had been crying out.
MP for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the Coochin Fields parks marks a turning point for, and revitalisation of, Sunshine Coast tourism.
QMusic Chief Executive Officer Kris Stewart calls the news a “huge step forward” for the state’s music industry.
“We have been calling for more large-scale dedicated music venues for a long time and Coochin Fields will be a tremendous new asset to the music industry,” Stewart says.
The development includes extensive environmental safeguards such as wildlife fencing, stormwater management and plans to prevent impacts on the adjoining national park and state forest areas.
