The 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.”
Archive for the 'VEMP' Category
Fortitude Valley’s Chamber of Commerce has distanced itself from calls for a moratorium on new liquor licences in the entertainment precinct. Deputy Mayor and Local Councillor David Hinchliffe had told mX the Chambers entertainment management committee would ask the State Government to consider whether the Valley has reached saturation point”. But Valley Chamber of Commerce president Carol Gordon said while the issue was raised, the Chamber would not support the move. Gordon described a moratorium as a “restraint of trade” and said it should be firmly off the table.”We definitely don’t support it,” she said. “it was raised at one meeting, but how could we possibly support it? It never got off the ground.” Gordon said a moratorium on licences would stunt the growth of the Valley Entertainment Precinct. The demographic of people that the Valley attracts come here looking for new and exciting things, and if there are no new venues, that wont happen,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of property development in the area and there is room for growth.” Gordon said the Entertainment Precinct went further than just the Valley heart. But Gordon conceded more work needed to be done to ensure pedestrian safety as more people were attracted to the area. Valley Alcohol Management Partnership chairman Les Pullos said the Precinct’s key nightlife stakeholders wanted to sustain the Valley as a 24-hour entertainment and cultural hub.
(An article in the MX 3 July 2007, written by Cameron Atfield(
The Fortitude Valley Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge to improve pedestrian safety in the popular entertainment precinct, after a recent report showed pedestrians were more likely to be hit in inner Brisbane than any other part of the State.
The Chamber, in conjunction with Queensland Police, Brisbane City Council and Valley Community Safety Group, hosted a pedestrian safety night audit at 1am on Sunday, May 27.
The audit included a walk-through of the suburb to identify problem areas and discuss solutions. This is the second safety audit co-ordinated by the Valley Chamber of Commerce with the initial audit undertaken on 26th November 2006.
Spokesperson for the Valley Chamber Safety Group and local business owner Mr Geoff Dick said while crime in the area, both thefts and assaults, had reduced in recent times, accidents involving cars and pedestrians were on the increase.
“The Valley’s popularity is living up to its expectations as Australia’s premier entertainment precinct, particularly during weekends when the area becomes crowded with people visiting restaurants and nightclubs. This, combined with some venues having long lines of people queuing to enter a venue means you have lots of people milling around on footpaths adjoined to busy roads, often late at night.
“We are looking at various measures to improve safety in these areas,” Mr Dick said.
Continue reading ‘VALLEY CHAMBER ON FRONT FOOT REGARDING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY’
While still in its draft format, the Valley Chamber Property & Entertainment Precinct Subcommittees are inviting stakeholders to comment on the Fortitude Valley Pedestrian Access Plan (located in Library on this site). Forward all comments by email to Carol Gordon President Valley Chamber of Commerce by 5 June 07 at p.cgordon@bigpond or admin@valleychamber.com.au.
Please note, opinions contained in the Plan do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Department of Main Roads, Queensland Transport or Maritime Safety Queensland, or endorsed by organisations utilising the same infrastructure.
Premier Peter Beattie has announced a massive expansion and renovation project for a Fortitude Valley icon building, the heritage-listed police station on the corner of Brookes and Wickham Street. Mr Beattie said the heritage-listed station will be subject to a Brisbane City Council Development Application and an EPA Heritage Council Submission.
Plans will be shortly be available to the public for feedback before work starts on the site. “The Valley Police Station is a Brisbane icon however police numbers have increased dramatically since it first opened more than 70 years ago,” Mr Beattie said. “While it’s a beautiful old building, it no longer meets the operational demands of modern day policing and does not have the room to accommodate future growth in policing numbers.”
Mr Beattie said Fortitude Valley is one of the busiest entertainment precincts in Queensland. “On any given weekend up to 60,000 people visit the area to enjoy its markets, restaurants and night life,” Mr Beattie said. “This has necessitated an increase in police numbers in the area, to respond to issues and maintain public safety.”
Minister for Public Works, Robert Schwarten said the project would be managed by Public Works in two stages:
• Stage I - construction of a two-storey building next to the existing heritage-listed station, connected by walkway links on each level;
• Stage II - a major internal refurbishment of the existing station.
Continue reading ‘MASSIVE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION OF VALLEY POLICE STATION’