Queensland’s bid to reinvigorate its nightlife involves a new vision to grow safer, more vibrant entertainment precincts, and support local venues and musicians.
The State Government’s first Nightlife Economy Action Plan was released in response to Moonside: The Queensland Night-Life Economy Commissioner’s Report 2026.
Nightlife Commissioner John Collins is the former bass guitarist for Australian rock band Powderfinger and co-owner of the Fortitude Valley Music Hall and the Triffid.
Mr Collins made 62 recommendations after meeting with nightlife businesses, artists, local councils, community groups, government agencies and other stakeholders.
The main aims were to bring back vibrancy, safety, and introduce business-friendly reforms.
The Government has said it supports 39 of the recommendations, with the first deliverables expected by 2026.
The action plan focuses on practical solutions in five key areas:
- Making It easier for nightlife businesses to thrive by exploring reforms that reduce barriers to operate. This includes removing unnecessary red tape for venues, extended trading hours, modernising entertainment sound regulations, reviewing default sound limits and measurement approaches.
- Backing live music and cultural experiences by creating more opportunities for artists. This includes encouraging major touring acts to showcase Queensland artists at live music events through discounted booking fees at State-owned venues; strengthening touring pathways; and reducing liquor licence fees for venues that support live music.
- Activating local nightlife precincts by working with councils and communities. This includes developing a Nightlife Playbook to help councils develop and manage their nightlife economies to encourage people to stay longer and support local businesses.
- Supporting a safe night for everyone. This includes strengthening services within Safe Night Precincts, considering additional safety initiatives such as mobile phone charging stations, and supporting councils that want to review and implement local speed limit changes. It also includes retaining ID scanning requirements.
- Building a stronger nightlife economy to improve industry collaboration. This includes introducing a new special event trading framework, and working on practical licensing reforms to make it easier and more financially viable for grassroots venues to host live music.
Mr Collins said the Action Plan was an important first step in delivering the vision in the Moonside Report.
“I want to thank the venue operators, artists, hospitality businesses, local councils and community members who generously shared their time and spoke honestly about the opportunities and challenges they face,” Mr Collins said in a statement.
“No report or action plan is going to deliver everything everyone wants on day one, but this is a start to the process and shows a genuine commitment to Queensland’s nightlife economy.”
Industry representative Andrew Baturo said Queensland’s greatest assets didn’t just stop at its climate or natural beauty, but it was also the people and hospitality.
“The world’s most memorable cities are defined by the experiences they create after dark, after the working day – where restaurants, bars, live music, arts, and culture come together to build community, create jobs and celebrate life’s great moments,” Mr Barturo said in a statement.
“Queensland has the momentum, the talent, and the opportunity to become one of those great destinations.”
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the Government would prioritise slashing unnecessary red tape for the hospitality sector to help showcase Queensland’s food, drink and live music.
