By Sonia Isaacs
MALENY’S popular live music hub, Maleny Lane, is set to roar back to life on Monday, February 16, ending a long and uncertain hiatus keenly felt by musicians, audiences and the wider arts community.
The reopening marks a major milestone for the hinterland town, with Sunshine Coast Council reaffirming its support for the venue and its place in Maleny’s cultural fabric following a lengthy approval and construction process.
Division 5 Councillor, Winston Johnston, said the return of Maleny Lane was a significant win for local performers and residents alike, particularly at a time when live music venues across the Sunshine Coast were closing or scaling back.
“It’s a much-loved venue and provides an opportunity for people with various musical talents to get exposure,” Cr Johnston said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the facilities people could previously go to have closed down on the Coast, so that’s why I was really keen to see council provide approval and assist them along the way.”
Cr Johnston said council officers worked closely with venue co-organiser, Steve McLeish, and his team to help navigate the development process and reduce costs where possible.
“I’m really impressed to see that it’s going to be going again,” he said.
Live music has been absent from the lane for 12 months following a protracted planning journey that required a material change of use development application.
Approval was granted on the condition that significant acoustic works be undertaken to address sound and amenity concerns.
To meet those conditions, the intimate venue has undergone a physical transformation, including the construction of a new acoustic sound shell, roof and upgraded performance area designed to future-proof the space.
“The development application approval was subject to us building a sound shell, acoustic roof and sealing off the area,” Mr McLeish said.
“That’s driven everything you see here now.”
Builders worked to a tight schedule, restricted to days when the lane itself was closed, with final stage elements installed in the lead-up to opening night.
Mr McLeish described the process as a “long haul” but one he believes will deliver lasting benefits for the region. “We need to create more opportunities for young and up-and-coming artists, or we’re going to lose the music industry,” he said.
Cr Johnston said the addition of the acoustic shell should resolve the small number of noise complaints previously received. “It should hopefully eliminate all of the sound issues,” he said.
Far from being a solo effort, the revival of Maleny Lane has been powered by strong grassroots support. Local professionals donated planning, legal, architectural and building expertise, much of it provided free of charge.
Financial backing also flowed in, with Hinterland Business Centre Inc contributing $9,000 and the Maleny Arts Co-op providing further funding.
The reopening is a collaboration between Maleny Lane, Maleny Arts Co-op and Hinterland Business Centre Inc, reflecting the town’s commitment to culture and community.
For Mr McLeish, the return of live music is both a relief and a renewal. “Once this is done, we’ve future-proofed ourselves and Maleny’s got an incredible live music venue again,” he said.