Tow trucks move cars on Marine Pde, Labrador amid movie filming of Runner starring Owen Wilson

Residents panicked when tow trucks showed up at a road closed for a big-budget movie in a Gold Coast suburb, but it might not have been what it seemed.

The impacts on Gold Coasters from a movie starring Hollywood hotshot Owen Wilson have relocated from Robina to Labrador.

Labrador residents awoke on Tuesday morning to tow trucks on a suburban street loaded with cars sparking fears vehicles would be unceremoniously removed if parked in the wrong spot.

Gold Coast resident Emily Pickering took to a northern Gold Coast suburbs community group late on Monday night to share a picture of two tow trucks on Marine Pde at Labrador, one loaded with a car.

Multiple cars were towed from Marine Pde, Labrador on Monday night. Picture: Facebook/Emily Pickering.

“If your car is still parked on Marine Pde you’re getting towed tonight by the looks of it, you might want to try go move your car quickly!” she wrote.

“Tow trucks non-stop coming and going.”

But in the cold light of Tuesday morning, dozens of cars were still parked along the 600m stretch of road.

Residents had been warned not to park on Marine Pde between Imperial Pde and Central St at Labrador after 3pm on Monday, with the suburban road to be transformed into a film set for Runner.

On Monday, the production used Robina Parkway to film scenes, which caused a traffic headache for locals with small business operators complaining of a downturn.

Councillor Joe Wilkinson posted a notice to Facebook saying Marine Parade at Labrador would be closed between Imperial Parade and Central St on May 20. Picture: Facebook/Councillor Joe Wilkinson.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said the film’s production company had warned the Labrador residents with notifications to letterboxes and large Variable Message Sign boards at either end of the road closure zone. Division 7 councillor Joe Wilkinson also posted a Facebook reminder.

“The Public Notification clearly stated where and when parking would be prohibited due to filming,” the GCCC spokeswoman said. “Vehicles parked illegally in ‘no parking’ or ‘no stopping’ areas can be towed away at any time.”

Traffic control officers said two cars were moved off the road and onto a side street, while a crew member of the Hollywood production said the only cars towed were stunt cars and props moved on to the set.

Cars used in the production of the Hollywood movie, Runner, were towed onto Marine Pde at Labrador for filming. Picture: Facebook/Matthew Garfield.

A GCCC spokeswoman said: “After QPS contacted six vehicle owners to advise them to move their cars, only one car was towed this morning to a safe location further south of the closure.

“It was not impounded and the owner was notified of its location. The production will cover the cost of the towing.”

Marine Parade at Labrador between Imperial Parade and Central Street was closed for filming of the movie Runner from 5am to 6pm on Tuesday, May 20. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen.

Some residents have been enthusiastic about a Hollywood production in their backyard, sharing videos to social media.

Others are aggrieved at the inconvenience of it all.

A crew member confirmed filming would wrap up on Tuesday.