Businesses suffering as locals urged to ignore traffic ‘scare campaign’ and boost local economy

FEARING there will be nothing but tumbleweeds rolling through the Gold Coast, local and state leaders are imploring people to head to local shops and restaurants and splash some cash

Traffic is quieter on Gold Coast roads thanks to the Commonwealth Games. Picture Amanda Robbemond Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

FEARING there will be nothing but tumbleweeds rolling through parts of the Gold Coast, city and state leaders are imploring people to splash cash at shops and restaurants.

With just a week of action and opportunity left with the Commonwealth Games, the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce is urging people to ignore the traffic scare campaign mounted by Government agencies and GOLDOC in the lead-up.

And at the southern end of the Gold Coast, businesses are lamenting an exodus of locals south of the border because of official transport warnings, loss of parking, road closures and signs saying one major thoroughfare was closed even when it wasn’t.

Central chamber president Martin Hall said the year-long transport scare campaign was hurting business.

FINALLY, TWO GAMES OPERATORS KILLING IT

Commonwealth Games Night life in Surfers Paradise. More police than punters. Picture Mike Batterham

“We are encouraging residents to ignore all the warnings about traffic chaos and get out to enjoy all the delights of the Games,’’ Mr Hall said yesterday.

“Businesses across the board are reporting quieter than expected trading and we have even received comments from visitors about how few local residents are out and about.’’

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the traffic warnings leading up to the Games were about ensuring people made their events, but she was now urging everyone on the Coast to come out and support locals.

“The last thing we wanted was people to miss events they had paid to see because they weren’t prepared for the traffic that comes with Australia’s biggest event in the past decade,” she said.

Southport Bowls Club barmaid Patty Muntz says business has been affected during the Commonwealth Games. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I urge every resident of the Gold coast to get involved — there are still tickets available to many events, and even if you’re not going to a venue, get to one of the hubs for GC2018.

“Don’t find yourself regretting the opportunity to jump in and immerse yourself in the celebration.”

Rumours of hotel price gouging leading up to the Games were quashed by Games chairman Peter Beattie, although he conceded some private renters may have gouged.

“Not the major hotels, no, there is no price gouging,” Mr Beattie said.

“I think the hotels are around about 73 per cent booked out at the moment, which is not bad really. We’d love to see them all full though.”

Traffic is quieter on Gold Coast roads thanks to the Commonwealth Games. Picture Amanda Robbemond Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

People hoping to secure accommodation for the final week of the Games would be looking at anywhere from $100 to nearly $1000 a night.

Mr Beattie said the problem was not getting people to the Coast, but getting people to visit a number of areas along the strip.

“The people who would normally come from Brisbane over Easter, didn’t. It seems to me now the numbers are starting to pick up,’’ he said.

“Around Broadbeach, there are places that are booked out. I had someone tell me that they tried to get into a few restaurants down there and couldn’t.

Photo of the owner of Zippy's Cafe John Georgiou at Southport. He is upset that trade has been non existent during the Commonwealth Games. Photo by Richard Gosling

“We’ve got huge numbers of people here, the crowds are here, but I don’t think they’re spreading evenly across the Coast.’’

Southern Gold Coast businesses said the past week had been their worst in months due to a lockup of roads for Games preparations.

Businesses approached by the Bulletin said they relied on locals living south of Burleigh for trade, and they knew first hand their regulars had gone to beach spots from Kingscliff south to Yamba.

Nigel and Liz Milnes, who operate the popular Devocean coffee and surf shop at Currumbin, said part of the problem was signage saying Pacific Parade was closed for the Race Walk when it remained open.

“The sign at the end of the road has been saying Pacific Parade is closed even though it is not. There’s been a flashing sign there for a week,” Ms Milnes said.

Retro Shiela owner, Gregory Pead, in his store at Coolangatta are experiencing slow trade. Picture Glenn Hampson

The foreshore road sweeping along Currumbin beach had been the perfect setting for the Commonwealth Games Race Walk.

But traders said setting up fencing on both sides of the roads along the walk circuit deterred vehicle traffic, despite road closures only taking effect at the weekend.

At Kirra and Coolangatta, grandstands on Marine Parade caused a part of the road to be blocked off and restaurants to lose parking places.

By 12.30pm on Saturday at up-market Baskk at Kirra, only a few diners had shown for one of the traditionally busiest days.

Steve Archdeacon, owner of Baskk at Kirra Point ... Picture Glenn Hampson

Brie Archdeacon said her father Steve, the owner, had hired extra staff and bought extra food and drink. She said he was too upset to be at the luxury restaurant.

“We have done $27 worth of business so far. We did open early for the Games. We’ve sold six coffees,” Ms Archdeacon said.

“Our wages are through the roof. Normally we would be full. It’s the way everyone got scared. Even our friends said they were not coming to Coolangatta.

“Everyone is headed to Kingscliff. It is very busy there. We have food that we will have to throw out. We thought there would be thousands here. Dad is very upset.”

Southern traders estimated takings were down by 40 per cent for the holidays.

Owners of Currumbin general store, Joanne and Craig Dick. Picture Glenn Hampson