Musically-inclined Nambour strives to become destination

NewsCommunity

22 Jun

Andrea Kirwin at the Tram Terminus on Sunday: “There are hurdles but we’ll get there. Events celebrating local music and culture are just what the town needs and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Fresh from her performance at Sunday’s Music on Mill Street event, renowned musician Andrea Kirwin was looking to the future of a vibrant Nambour music scene.

Key to the town fulfilling its potential as a music destination is taking advantage of the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) zoning which has been enacted to help facilitate a local music-based entertainment industry. SEP zoning provides venues greater certainty about where they can operate and the relevant noise levels. It also protects residential development from unreasonable levels of amplified music noise.

Andrea said the aim now was to work with investors to bring live music venues to life. But some hurdles remain. “It’s a challenge for several reasons including the current state of available buildings, which need a lot of work,” she said.

“There is good will from council, but some economic seed funding support for events and more support for the initial venues looking to open would definitely help the SEP get off the ground.

“Nambour Chamber of Commerce hosted a six-hour stakeholders meeting in early May but it failed to address key elements such as noise restriction levels. In the meantime our passionate collective of musicians and event organisers will keep working towards a vibrant entertainment precinct and live music venues.”

Nambour Special Entertainment Precinct is only the second precinct of its kind in Queensland. Council endorsed the SEP for inclusion in the Planning Scheme in early 2020 and Andrea has been working with other musicians, stakeholders, venues and council to steer the proposal to fruition.

“Everyone wants this to go ahead,” said Andrea. “There’s interest from investors, which is exciting. But without incentives such as lowering council fees and help to update some of the older buildings investors seem reluctant to take these risks.”

Andrea has just been made a Brand Ambassador for Reimagine Nambour’s “I am Nambour” town pride initiative. She said Nambour had the potential, with its small town character and grunge factor vibe, to be a trendy music destination.

“The economic flow-on effect from shows and potential festivals would bring a lot of young people to town create music industry jobs, which would be fantastic in helping us recover from the impacts of COVID on our industry.”

“I love being part of this community where people look out for each other. We need to have events that make Nambour a true music destination. And people will travel here. There are hurdles but we’ll get there. Events celebrating local music and culture are just what the town needs and it’s great to be a part of that.”