Covid casualties: Organisers forced to cancel events amid extended lockdown

Organisers have been forced to call off multiple large-scale events due to take place on the Gold Coast over the next week as the lockdown continues to wreak havoc. WHAT’S BEEN CANCELLED >>>

• Gold Coast businesses smashed by snap southeast Queensland lockdown
• Mayor calls for Gold Coast to be excluded from lockdown

A MAJOR music festival tipped to draw thousands to a Gold Coast park at the weekend is among a dozen large scale events canned as Covid continues to wreak havoc across the city.

RnB concert For The Love 2021 was due to return to Doug Jennings Park at Main Beach on Saturday. Sadly, the event has become one of many casualties, unable to go ahead as planned due to border closures and the extended lockdown.

Devastated organisers made the pre-emptive decision to postpone the event in recent days, citing their “duty of care” and tough border closures as the final nail in the coffin.

“From a mental and emotional aspect, we are devastated, as we have no doubt you are as well and we are incredibly sorry we’re not able to deliver the day of music, good vibes and moments with friends which we all need just yet,” a For The Love spokesman said.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

Organisers of Gold Coast Dance Eisteddfod will reschedule the event to a later date. Picture: supplied

“The main issue we are faced with is that we are unable to get any of our artists or team into the state to actually perform at the event because of the hard border closure with no exceptions.

“This is not an easy situation as our team and artists, the hundreds of contractors, stallholders and vendors are all affected by this in a time when they needed it most. But we’re committed to moving past this and delivering for them and all of you in the very near future.”

WHERE TO GET A COVID-19 TEST ON COAST

Sadly, this week’s extended lockdown will mark the second time in little more than four weeks that organisers have been left scrambling to reschedule events.

Radio personality Bianca Dye getting in the mood for Frockarama at Carrara Markets, which will now not go ahead. Picture: Adam Head.

A number of live performances due to be held at HOTA have been scrapped as has fashion market Frockarama at Carrara Markets on Sunday. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary will remain closed to the public until Monday 9 August.

The Bulletin will update the list of impacted events as further information comes to light.

PUBLIC EVENTS TO BE IMPACTED (AS AT 11AM, MONDAY)

Gold Coast Eisteddfod Dance, August 2-24 – postponed with new date TBA

TALEENA at The Star Casino, August 7 – postponed with new date TBA

For The Love 2021 at Doug Jennings Park, August 7 – postponed with new date TBA

Gold Coast Turf Club Race Day, August 7 – cancelled

Based Comedy, at The Arc Nobby’s, August 4 – cancelled

New Owner at HOTA, August 8-9 – cancelled

Stories in the Key of GC at HOTA, August 5 – cancelled

Comedy Underground, Luke Heggie at HOTA, August 7 – cancelled

Period Queen by Lucy Peach at HOTA, August 4 – cancelled

Frockarama at Carrara Markets, August 8 – postponed to September 26

AWLQ Yoga with Puppies at Chameleon New Age Salon, August 7 – postponed with new date TBA

2021 Streetsmarts AFLQ Schools Cup - suspended until further notice

The Langer Trophy schoolboy rugby league competition - suspended until further notice

The following City venues and services will be closed from 4pm Saturday 31 July to 4pm Sunday 8 August as per lockdown restrictions:

Active & Healthy – classes cancelled.

Aquatic Centres and major sporting venues – closed.

City-run events – including markets have been cancelled.

City sporting fields – are closed to all organised sporting groups.

Community Centres – are closed, with exception of essential services

Customer Centres – will remain open, except for the Upper Coomera location.

Libraries – closed, however you can access our online library service 24/7

NaturallyGC programs – including Beaches and Bushlands, have been cancelled.

Parks and playgrounds – Open for exercise purposes only.

Park bookings – have been cancelled

Tourist Parks – Travellers with existing tourist park bookings are permitted to stay, with patrons required to follow all lockdown requirements. New bookings will only be accepted for those without a principal place of residence, essential workers and those who do not have alternate accommodation options.

Waste collections – will continue as per normal

Waste & Recycling Centres and Landfill – open as per normal with social distancing measures in place. Please avoid non-essential visits during the lockdown period.

Dispatching and collection of flexi skips – some delays may occur in the delay and delivery during the lockdown period.

City cleaning operating as per normal.

Follow @kaitlynsmthnews