South Bank Beach closed as Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner slams members of public who ‘are just not getting it’

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has come out swinging at people ignoring social distancing regulations, using their actions to justify the closure of South Bank Beach and 22 public pools across the city, saying there are some who “are just not getting it”. SEE THE FULL LIST

A LANDMARK recreation lagoon has closed along with all the city’s publicly owned aqua playgrounds.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced this morning that South Bank Lagoon and the surrounding water play parklands plus all the council’s aqua play areas would close today.

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He said many in the community not following health advice and using the facilities at high, unsafe densities and comes after the council shut down all 22 of Brisbane’s public pools yesterday.

“Some people are still using these pools, they are just not getting it,” he said.

“There will be barricades set up with signage and it will be monitored.

“We all saw the photos of Bondi over the weekend and while many people are taking this very seriously, unfortunately there are some who are not,” he said.

“In those sort of situations, governments at all levels have to step up and take action – that’s what we’re doing here.

“If people don’t want to keep themselves safe, we have to take steps to make sure we keep people as safe as possible.”

He said some of the outdoor water play and recreation areas were being used “at quite high densities” and that was unsafe.

The pools closure extends to all pools, and amenities including gyms, fitness classes and aqua parks, and would continue until it was safe to reopen them.

“This decision was not an easy one to make and not one we made lightly, it’s one we’ve made with the public’s best interest in mind to ensure we are keeping people safe.

“This closure extends to all pools, and amenities including gyms, fitness classes and aqua parks, and will continue until it is safe to reopen them.”

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL POOL AND AQUA PARK CLOSURES

South Bank Lagoon and the Aquativity water play park

Acacia Ridge Leisure Centre

Belbowrie Pool

Carole Park Swim Centre

Centenary Pool, Spring Hill

Chermside Pool

Colmslie Pool, Morningside

Dunlop Park Memorial Swimming Pool, Corinda

Ferny Grove Aqua Park

Hibiscus Sports Complex, Upper Mt Gravatt

Ithaca Pool, Paddington

Jindalee Pool

Langlands Park Memorial Pool, Stones Corner

Manly Pool

Mt Gravatt East Swimming Pool

Musgrave Park Pool, South Brisbane

Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool, Newmarket

Parkinson Aquatic Centre

Runcorn Pool

Rocks Riverside Park

Sandgate Aquatic Centre

Spring Hill Baths

The Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre, Fitzgibbon

Valley Pool, Fortitude Valley

Wynnum Aqua Park

Yeronga Park Memorial Swimming Pool

SOUTH BANK CORPORATION THROWS EATERIES AND RETAILERS A BONE

MEANWHILE of Brisbane’s busiest precincts has thrown local eateries and retailers a lifeline as they grapple with an “unprecedented” exodus of foot traffic.

South Bank has become deserted after a drop in international tourists and a government-enforced closure of bars, clubs and restaurants to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Staff and Queensland Police are also monitoring crowds and enforcing social distancing, with parks and the famous Streets Beach to be closed if more than 500 people gather in the area.

South Bank Corporation chief executive Professor Bill Delves said retailers in the precinct would now be provided with financial relief on rent.

“The measures include, foregoing rent and outgoings from 1 April – 30 September 2020 and refunding rents that had already been paid to the Corporation in March,” Mr Delves said.

Motorists would also be given a free 30 minutes of parking at the precinct in an effort to incentivise take-away sales.

“We are endeavouring to make it easier for roadside collection,” Mr Delves said.

“We hope these measures will help businesses to keep their employees in jobs, while servicing the public with a new take-away dining experience to support our retailers’ revenue,” he said.