Archive for the 'Entertainment Precinct' Category

Valley p.m.

Published
by
Valley Chamber
on November 16, 2007
in Community, Entertainment Precinct and Urban Renewal
. 0 Comments

pm-overview.jpgOverview

Glasses and cutlery are madly being polished, stocks are taken off the simmer, playlists are being sorted and taxi ranks take a breath as the chime of clocks at 6pm marks the beginning of the evening in Australia’s first designated Entertainment Precinct – the Valley. Its night economy has blossomed over the past decade, while the day trade is just picking up now. With all the highs that go with an Entertainment Precinct, there are also major challenges, especially managing the influx of people who want to absorb the savoury scents and raw energy oozing from the hundreds of take-away outlets, cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs within a 500-metre radius. The key to managing issues that raise their unwanted head is for private and government stakeholders to work together and realise the great potential that the precinct has on the community and businesses, and the positive flow-on effects for the economy as a whole. There are many interested parties here for the long term who are keen to work hard to see the Valley’s ongoing success.

VAMP

Published
by
Valley Chamber
on November 14, 2007
in Community, Entertainment Precinct and VEMP
. 0 Comments

vamp.jpgThe Road to Effective Management
In 2002, a joint initiative of the State and Local Government suggested to Valley licensees that a pro-active and locally responsive group be formed to manage the issues associated with the consumption of alcohol. The result was VAMP – the Valley Alcohol Management Partnership, established in 2002. Les Pullos, the Chair of VAMP since 2005, has seen a great deal of growth and change in that time. “When I attended the first meeting along with Queensland Police, BCC, Dept of Communitees, other licensees and stakeholders, we immediately looked at pro-active measures to address possible future issues.” By 2005, VAMP had developed a comprehensive wishlist, so when the State Government implemented the 17-point Brisbane City Safety Action Plan in March, almost all of the suggestions on the list were realised. “While venues were not happy about the 3am lockout as it changed the vibrancy of the area, they were glad to see our changes implemented,” remarks Les. “The mainstreaming of our patronage now has introduced a lot of new challenges and we are keen to implement several more of the items on our new wishlist (refer page 09). To realise the potential of the Valley Entertainment Precinct, there needs to be an expectation that there will be large crowds, and strategies have to be introduced to manage those numbers. We also need to ensure new venues add other dimensions and vibrancy to the Valley, not to simply replicate what is here already. Unfortunately, we also have to accept that drugs are changing the dynamics of the night scene, and venues cannot be held totally responsible for dealing with that serious issue. We are keen to continue working with authorities to manage all of these issues and make the Valley an even safer and enjoyable Entertainment Precinct to work and visit.”