OPEN LETTER FROM WEBMASTER



Some of you have probably thought that the club shut down about a year ago
and that nothing was being done for over a year, and now may wrongly believe
that all of a sudden the club is back in business.


When the club had its last party night in Spring Hill In November 2006
because the venue was being sold. Alternative premises and venues were
contacted and searched out, however no one wanted to take on the Hellfire
Club and almost all the available venues were tried and were either
unwilling, unavailable or unaffordable.


The owner of the Hellfire Club was offered the premises at 243 Brunswick
Street, Fortitude Valley as a Night Club and to make it viable it needed to
be licensed and to open on Thursday to Saturday nights of a week. Hence
application was made to have it licensed as Tabu - Lounge bar and Nightclub.
A lease was entered into and approvals were sought from Liquor Licensing. It
was then discovered that the appropriate building classifications had not
been issued as was assured when the lease was being signed up. Then followed
the expensive and extensive process of getting the correct classification
for nightclub use, and applications were made to the relevant stakeholders
to ensure that the premises were correctly classified.


Initially the Brisbane City Council insisted that we provide a new and
enlarged sewerage pipe for 3 buildings to run to Gipps Street at a cost of
several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fortunately robust arguments were
presented and this requirement was withdrawn.

Then followed the requirements of the Building certifier and the QFRS (Fire
Brigade) who began to put in all the necessary demands for approval, such as
Braille signs for toilets (not that you can read them when blind drunk) and
for the wall on the disabled toilet to be brought closer as it was 100mm too
far from the pedestal according to the rules. It was also indicated that
there would be a requirement for a disabled persons lift to be installed at
a cost of about $60,000. In the history of the club there has only been 1
person attend 1 function in a wheelchair. Similar experience from other
nightclub owners in the areas also showed low or non existent patronage by
disabled persons. It was discarded because of the cost and the certifier
also realised that with a bus stop outside the building vehicles would not
be able to stop to take the disabled persons from there and it was agreed
that a disable parking space and entrance from the rear of the building
would be acceptable.

If you require wheelchair access please call the club on 0448 - 024898 and
our friendly staff will be pleased to give you directions and to assist you
with access to the club.



Then followed the visits from the Fire Brigade who were not happy with the
already installed state of the art smoke alarm system that was wired into a
direct link to the Fire Station less than a kilometre away. And apart from
widening the entrance at the bottom of the stairs they appeared to be
transfixed on having sprinklers installed for the whole building. A total
absurdity that would cost in excess of $250,000 and be less safe for you our
patrons and in the event of a sprinkler head being damaged causing extensive
damage to the building and sensitive electrical equipment. Alternative
solutions were suggested and a sensitive pressurised sniffer system was
discounted by the Fire Brigade the cost only about $8000 but they didn't
approve. Eventually the certifier and the QFRS representative agreed that
the solution was a smoke exhausting system. The existing large fan at the
rear was deemed unacceptable. Engineers were retained to design a suitable
system and with a required minimum airflow requirement the system was
designed to almost double that requirement. Placement of the exhaust fan was
the next problem encountered and the solution was to mount the fan on the
roof and build a shaft from the nightclub through the shop upstairs to the
roof. This was no small technical and logistical feat not to mention an
expense of almost $30,000.

The fan and shaft being installed the required forms were submitted through
the certifier to the QFRS for approval and it came back rejected.
Apparently even though aware of the alternative solution and approved by one
of its representatives an acceptable alternative solutions report had not
been filed with the application.

Just like Colombo the building certifier and QFRS kept asking for "just one
more thing" they have concerns about separation between floors and other
issues which they feel can only be addressed by you guessed it a fully
installed sprinkler system.

A firm of Fire Engineers were brought in to consult with the building
certifier and the QFRS and it was correctly pointed out that installing
sprinklers would not be effective, would not work and would be a waste of
money and would make the building less safe.


The present smoke detection system and smoke exhaust system makes this one
of the safest clubs for patrons to attend. It is our confirmed intention not
to compromise on safety issues as your safety and enjoyment of our venue is
paramount to our concerns.



Consequently as a result of the past 9 + months dealing with the bureaucratic
constipation and the likelihood of more obstacles being placed in our path
to frustrate the issue of the liquor license it has been decided to open the
club from 25th August as a BYO venue. Soft drinks, tea and coffee and water
will be sold. Drink fridges are available for those who wish to bring their
own wine, beer or spirits.



We look forward to everyone supporting their club and attending the monthly
party nights and joining our memberships to enjoy the private members only
nights to be held SECOND SATURDAY of month. With your continued support we will be
able to once again apply for liquor licensing and provide for you one of
Brisbane's greatest entertainment venues.



If you have any suggestions, or ideas for theme nights please e-mail us on
webmaster@hellfireclub.com.au



We look forward to meeting all our old friends once again and making lots of
new friends in a safe sane and consensual play space.



Owner ,  webmaster,  / Hellfire Club Queensland



Sincerely.

 

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