Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The gritty laneway location was the perfect spot for a bar that embraces the alternative.
In brief
- Local bar Squeaky Clean was a recipient of the ACT Government’s Tourism Product Development Fund.
- Applications for the Fund are now open.
- Squeaky Clean is one of many Canberra businesses benefitting from new nightlife reforms.
Jon Murphy opened his bar Squeaky Clean just last year with support from the ACT Government’s Tourism Product Development Fund.
And new government reforms are now providing an atmosphere in which the business can thrive.
The idea for the bar came from a desire to fill what Jon saw as a gap in the market.
“I was in my thirties when I got to Canberra. I don’t wear suits or RM Williams, I don’t fit into the mould of the APS person. I tried so many places but I just couldn’t find my people,” he said.
Jon set out to create a place where he could be his genuine self. The first step was to find the right space. A gritty laneway location in Verity Lane ticked many of Jon’s boxes.
“I saw potential. The timber floors, high ceilings, the location, and the fact that it had character already.”
The Tourism Product Development Fund
A grant from the Tourism Product Development Fund allowed Jon to engage local builders.
“We used the money to stay local and keep the money in town. That was part of our agreement with the builder that we went with, that they weren’t going to subcontract out of town,” he said.
The principle of supporting local has stuck with Jon. It extends to the Squeaky Clean menu, which showcases local suppliers and producers. The burgers have quickly become a favourite among regulars. They feature beef from Southland’s Quality Meats and buns from Three Mills.
“They’re local and they look after us. It’s that relationship thing – building relationships with people where we both keep the money in town,” Jon said.
How to apply
The Tourism Product Development Fund supports local businesses to provide better visitor experiences. This helps:
- boost the local economy
- create jobs
- enhance Canberra’s reputation as a tourism destination.
Applications for the Tourism Product Development Fund are now open.
New nightlife reforms
Squeaky Clean is one of many Canberra businesses that will benefit from a range of reforms designed to boost the city’s nighttime economy.
This includes the passage of the Liquor (Night-Time Economy) Amendment Bill 2024, providing eligible businesses with:
- more flexibility around their trading hours
- a reduction in annual liquor licencing fees for supporting live music and the arts
- new provisions around celebrations of special events such as the Olympics and Floriade.
The ACT Government has also introduced new fit-for-purpose Noise Standards in the City Centre Entertainment Precinct. The standards aim to:
- boost the city’s entertainment and cultural scene
- support local businesses
- boost artistic growth
- elevate the visitor experience
- consider community wellbeing.
In a further boost to musicians and the nighttime economy, free parking permits will be available for musicians to access loading zones for 30 minutes to unload their musical equipment. Musicians will be able to apply for a permit via the Access Canberra website.
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