Mooloolaba's identity crisis worsens
Fri 01 May 2009
Megan Mackander, Journalism
The closure of Mooloolaba’s Zink Bar and Restaurant has prompted Sunshine Coast Regional Council tourism officers to take a look at current marketing plans for the tourist area.
Located on the Mooloolaba esplanade, Zink officially ceased operation on 17 December, 2008, after a number of breaches relating to its Liquor License.
The matter was decided in a Commercial and Consumer Tribunal in December 2008, where the tribunal heard Zink failed to comply with the conditions of their its license.
Operating under an “on premise meals license”, Zink Bar’s main infringements referred to failing to be adequately equipped to serve meals with alcohol and noise violations since its opening in 2005, the Tribunal heard.
Zink’s Liquor License specified noise levels could not reach more than 85 decibels, a level which former owner of Zink Bar, Christine Stacey, said was unreasonable and restrictive against the entertainment she could provide her customers.
“In order to be economically viable as a business, we had to walk a fine line between being a restaurant, a lounge bar and a nightclub,” Mrs Stacey said.
Mrs Stacey said her intentions when opening Zink were to create a “funky lounge bar” with live music, something she believed was lacking in the area.
Mrs Stacey said she was concerned for the future of Mooloolaba, and that she believed there was no collective effort by council, liquor licensing, retailers or accommodation houses to market the area.
“Mooloolaba is suffering from an identity crisis and has been for a long time,” Mrs Stacey said.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council tourism and marking officer David Hopper said tourism was about attracting tourists with a diverse range of products and services to provide visitors with a positive overall experience.
Mr Hopper said Mooloolaba was not a place for nightclubs, but did agree there was a demand for live entertainment and music on the Esplanade.
Mr Hopper said Zink bar distinguished itself from other Mooloolaba businesses.
“There is a need for a place like Zink, but it was in the wrong spot,” Mr Hopper said
“Zink morphed into something it never set out to be which turned out to be inappropriate for the area.”
Mr Hopper said the closure of Zink would affect the tourism experience for the target market visiting the area, especially the older generation.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council had no control over the tenants who occupied the Mooloolaba Esplanade.
Mr Hopper said landlords needed to determine tenants based on market demand.
“Mooloolaba as a community needs to have a good look at itself and look at how we are marketing ourselves,” Mr Hopper said.
“All of us need to work together to promote the area.”
While Liquor Licensing was unavailable for comment, the Sunshine Coast compliance officer made tribunal documents available.
The former Zink building will become a pharmacy early next month.
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