Changes to GC waterways for Commonwealth Games

Changes to GC waterways for Commonwealth Games

by getsetforthegames.com 2 Feb 23:40 UTC 4-15 April 2018

Changes to GC waterways for Commonwealth Games © Samuel Lindsay

To ensure the safety and security of athletes, officials, spectators and the community, there will be changes to the waterways during GC2018.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC), City of Gold Coast, Queensland Police Service and the Department of Transport and Main Roads are working together to ensure the Gold Coast 2018 Games can be carried out safely while minimising the inconvenience to local residents and businesses.

Why are there changes to waterway use?
The Queensland Government has introduced new legislation called the Major Events Act (MEA).

The Major Events Act 2014 (the Act) facilitates major events being held in Queensland, such as GC2018. The Major Events (Gold Coast Commonwealth Games) Regulation 2017 (the Regulation) prescribes GC2018 as a major event under the Act and GOLDOC as the major event organiser for GC2018.

The Regulation provides for venue and event security and gives enforcement powers to GOLDOC and its authorised persons. Some locations adjoining waterways will be impacted by this legislation.

Introducing new Protective Security Zones
Protective Security Zones, or PSZs, are areas where police will be able to apply additional powers aimed at keeping the community safe. PSZs may cover land or water. They may include public transport infrastructure or a part of the public transport network associated with, or used to transport members of the public to or from the Commonwealth Games.

There are no restrictions to entering, being in or leaving a PSZ.

The community should be aware that when entering or inside a PSZ, police will have the ability to quickly and efficiently stop, search and detain people, vehicles, vessels and watercraft; enter and search places and premises; and give directions to all persons whether they are drivers/operators/riders as needed for the purpose of ensuring the safety and security of the community and the event.

These additional powers would apply only in the PSZs, and are proposed to lapse one week after the Games conclude.

Access changes
In some cases, where there is no direct impact to the waterway, temporary road changes may cause disruption to businesses operating from waterside locations.

Superyachts will still be able to access the Southport Yacht Club Boarding Station to clear immigration, biosecurity and Australian Customs.

Click here to see GC2018 waterways changes