Sunshine Coast Council has been accused of “completely obliterating” and “sabotaging” the local live music scene, after the Crystal Waters Music Club was shut down.

The Conondale club is the latest victim in a series of forced closures of venues, events and festivals, who suffered at the hands of noise complaints and the rising cost of living.

Council has been blamed for the fate of Ocean Street World Festival, Big Pineapple Festival, Nightquarter, Peregian Originals, Eleven, Maleny Lane, and Buskers by the Lake, with locals saying they didn’t do enough to save them.

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

“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”.

Crystal Waters resident, who wished to be known only as Kenneth, said if mental health was a major nation-wide crisis, why does Council continue to shut down our music events that provide jobs for local residents, boost the Coast’s tourism economy, and brings a sense of community and belonging?

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

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Buskers by the Lake forced to be reimagined after battle over “integrity” issues

The multi-award winning, two-day busking festival at Lake Kawana was meant to be held on Council grounds from August 18-20, and was set to celebrate its 10 year anniversary.

Festival organiser Cindy Jensen said she was forced to reinvent the lakeside event just under five weeks out. 

With 206 artists ready to perform, including the winner of Italy’s Roma Buskers Festival, plus suppliers, crew, foodies, volunteers and pre-ticket purchasers, 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.”

Cindy said this was “hush money” and 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.

Mick King was also unimpressed vocalising to Peace Run Records and Agency on Facebook: “FFS, I wish these whinging Bed Wetters would just Fcuk right off. Don’t give up the good fight you guys.”

Cindy, who is running a petition for a full investigation into Council’s budget, its representatives, and reporting and operations of their major events, has appeared stoic in the face of diversity, and despite the challenges and a major monetary loss, the show went on, with Cindy also issuing a full refund to original ticket holders.

While the 10th anniversary resulted in a majorly scaled down version, artists still performed in local music venues such as Kings Beach Tavern, Drift Bar, Duporth Tavern, Nambour Beach House, and Your Mates Brewing, which all jumped at the chance to support Cindy.

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 instead cited industry-wide challenges such as increased costs.

But Council remains tight-lipped about details of the busking event’s sponsorship.

“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.”

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Maleny Lane joins wave of music club closures

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 the noise from Maleny Lane music events.

Steve, who also led a major protest of hundreds of angry residents when they rallied against Council, told the Sunshine Coast News that Maleny was a community that prided itself on being one of the most artistic in Australia.

He also said that the suburb was in desperate need for a community space where its many artists 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.”

It seems Maleny Lane is back open for business, but the Sunny Coast live music scene continues to crumble.

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Sunshine Coast Council could not be contacted at time of print.

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