Sunshine Coast Council has been accused of “completely obliterating” and “sabotaging” the local live music scene.

The criticism followed the temporary closure of the Crystal Waters Music Club while the Crystal Waters Co-op and Council worked through requirements for events staged at the venue.

The dispute came amid broader frustration in parts of the local music community over the loss or disruption of venues, events and festivals across the region.

Events and venues raised in the wider debate included Ocean Street World Festival, Big Pineapple Festival, NightQuarter, Peregian Originals, Eleven, Maleny Lane and Buskers by the Lake.

Some local organisers and residents argued Council wasn’t doing enough to support an industry already struggling with rising costs.

In a statement on the Crystal Waters Music Club Facebook page on August 18, organiser Bernard O’Scanaill said:

“Hi Music-lovers…. it’s with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of our wee music club until the Crystal Waters Co-op and the Sunshine Coast Council can reach agreement on such events being staged on the Crystal Waters Deck.

“The closure is immediate and our planned gig for next weekend is cancelled.

“The future of our monthly soiree beneath the stars is uncertain, and I’d like to thank you all for your wonderful support over the years. I had such fun running this community arts venture.

“As a performer, I will miss having a local place to play with friends with the benefit of mics and little risk of getting paid….

“Till the next time, my love to you all,

“B”.

Music is good for our mental health, residents say

A Crystal Waters resident, who wished to be known only as Kenneth, said if mental health was a major nationwide crisis, Council shouldn’t be shutting down music.

Kenneth said the music industry provided jobs for residents, boosted the Coast’s tourism economy and offered a sense of community and belonging.

“We all know music elevates our dopamine levels. Music boosts our mood and helps us regulate our emotions,” he said.

“It is also statistically proven to promote relaxation and release tension. People need community and music to heal.

“Council has just completely obliterated and sabotaged our once thriving live music scene.”

Buskers by the Lake reimagined after Council dispute

The multi-award-winning Buskers by the Lake festival was due to celebrate its 10th anniversary at Lake Kawana in August 2023.

Festival organiser Cindy Jensen said she was forced to reinvent the event less than five weeks out.

With more than 200 artists preparing to perform, along with suppliers, crew, food vendors, volunteers and ticket holders, Cindy said she was devastated.

“Most would jump to the conclusion in this environment that the cancellation is due to lack of ticket sales or funds, but this simply isn’t the case.

“The outcome of a recent meeting with Council was an offer to provide financial support, on condition that the offer be kept confidential and that I did not make any negative comments about the Council in the media or on social media platforms.”

Event organiser calls funding conditions ‘hush money’

Cindy described the offer as “hush money” and said it demonstrated Council’s true colours.

“I am taking this cancellation stance and calling for a full investigation into Council, its representatives, budgets, and reporting and operations of their own major events – someone needs to hold them accountable,” she said.

Cindy also launched a petition calling for an investigation into Council’s budget, representatives, reporting and operation of major events.

Despite the dispute and financial loss, a reimagined version of the festival went ahead across local venues, with original ticket holders offered refunds.

A reimagined event across local venues

While the 10th anniversary became a scaled-down version of the original event, artists still performed at local music venues including Kings Beach Tavern, Drift Bar, Duporth Tavern, Nambour Beach House and Your Mates Brewing.

A Council spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News that Mayor Mark Jamieson, Councillor Peter Cox and staff met with Cindy on June 30 to identify ways Council could financially support the event.

“Division 3 Councillor Peter Cox and the mayor offered funding to support the 2023 event via their 2023-24 Discretionary Fund,” they said.

“Yes, it is disappointing that some events, such as those mentioned by the promoter (Ocean Street World Festival and Big Pineapple Festival), are no longer part of the event calendar.

“Council has a responsibility as custodians of ratepayers’ money to ensure funds are distributed in a responsible manner and sometimes tough decisions are required.”

The spokesperson said blaming Council was misleading and cited industry-wide challenges including increased costs.

Council also rejected the suggestion that its request for confidentiality around sponsorship was improper.

“There is nothing sinister in asking for details of event sponsorship to remain confidential nor to ask for sponsorship acknowledgement. This is common practice for events this council and other government agencies sponsor.”

Maleny Lane faced closure over noise complaints

In April 2022, Maleny Lane FrontUp Chalkboard organiser Steve McLeish posted on their page: “So we now have the directive in writing from the Planning Dept in council and we have to shut down all music at the Maleny Lane by the May 6. We tried for an extention to no avail.

“I AM SO UPSET.

“Please send your support letters through to me as soon as you can …. steve.mcleish@gmail.com

“Also I will send through email addresses for council representatives soon so you can send through to them directly.”

At the time, a Council spokesperson said “several complaints” had been received from local residents about noise from Maleny Lane music events.

Steve, who also led a protest by hundreds of residents, told Sunshine Coast News that Maleny was a community that prided itself on being one of the most artistic in Australia.

He said the town needed a community space where its artists could perform, socialise and be entertained.

“Maleny deserves this. We’re a bunch of artists. The demographics have been changing and they’re trying to change it but Maleny is a town of artists and the hills are full of musos and painters and poets,” he said.

“More than anywhere in Australia they deserve an arts precinct.”

Maleny Lane’s live music ultimately continued after talks between organisers and Council found an alternative way forward.

Sunshine Coast Council could not be contacted directly by YELO before the original story was published.

Have your say: What do you think about the state of live music on the Sunshine Coast? Email editor@yelo.live