ROMA’S only nightclub has shut its doors as a result of the Queensland Government’s lockout laws.
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Last Saturday, management of The Zone were forced to close the venue stating that the law’s entry restrictions made it nonviable to remain open.
Under the first part of the Queensland Government’s lockout laws which were introduced in July 2016, people are no longer allowed to buy alcohol after 2am while shots and some pre-mixed drinks will not be served after midnight.
The second stage of laws beginning on February 1 will mean patrons are not allowed to enter or re-enter a precinct after 1am.
The night club is run alongside The Club Hotel Motel and manager Chris Van't Hof said he had done everything he could to try and keep the precinct open.
“When the Queensland Government keeps changing the goal posts for the liquor industry every six months, it is very hard and costly to keep up with it,” he said.
“We don’t want The Zone closed. It’s very simple, as a business you have costs and profits and if the cost outweigh the profits than you can’t open.
“I have struggled since these laws changed to try to keep it open with the new change in the laws and restrictions with what we can and can’t do.
“It gets to a point where you have to make a commercial decision.”
Mr Van’t Hof said Roma partygoers didn’t “go out” until after midnight meaning the laws restricted their customer intake.
He said more people would now turn to residential parties.
“It (the nightlife of Roma) finishes at midnight so everybody gets on their phone and says who is having a party at their place so now we have all these parties from midnight on in residential areas,” he said.
“Give us back our license, reverse what they (the Queensland Government) have changed and start lowering the taxes for alcohol make it more affordable for people to be able to enjoy themselves instead of forcing them to take alternative measures.”
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
