Coronavirus: Gold Coast’s major events still expected to go ahead

Some of the world and Australia’s biggest events are rescheduling or cancelling due to coronavirus fears, but “optimistic” Gold Coast major event organisers say the show must go on.

“OPTIMISTIC” Gold Coast major event organisers say “shows must go on” as some of the biggest ones both here and abroad reschedule or get axed due to coronavirus fears.

Major crowd-pullers the Gold Coast Marathon, Blues on Broadbeach, Groundwater country music festival, Surfers Paradise LIVE and SeaFire are all proceeding as scheduled in coming months.

That’s despite giant American music festival Coachella, which attracts 500,000 people annually, moving six months back to October.

Yesterday it was announced Tasmania’s Dark Mofo festival, which was curated by Violent Femmes member Brian Ritchie, would be cancelled.

But Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said it was “critical” local businesses were supported by events proceeding as scheduled.

Country music performer Lee Kernaghan poses with the Broadbeach crowd at the end of Groundwater Country Music Festival 2019. Picture: Luke Marsden

“We are still planning for business as usual for Surfers Paradise LIVE and SeaFire,” Mr Winlaw said of next month’s free music festival and beachfront fireworks in June.

“The traders and businesses need support. If there’s no health risk, it’s not a time to overreact and pull the plug.

“It is critical we make sure we are sustaining businesses as best we can. Unless we are directed otherwise by health authorities, we are planning it’s all go.”

Dozens of international marathons have been axed or rescheduled but Events Queensland CEO Cameron Hart yesterday confirmed the Gold Coast Marathon on July 4-5 was on track.

Mr Hart said: “At this stage we are really optimistic we will be OK.

SeaFire at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve been looking at what’s been happening – lots of major marathons around the world have been impacted. Some were cancelled, especially in Asia.

“We’ve looked at it and because Australia is geographically protected, and the Australian Government has been pretty proactive … we don’t feel it will be a major act to fire our event.”

Last year the Gold Coast Marathon injected $34.5 million into the local economy and brought more than 46,000 visitors, 7000 from overseas.

Groundwater Country Music Festival and Blues on Broadbeach – two of the city’s biggest events – will also be held in coming months.

They bring in more than 240,000 people across their two weekends.

MORE

Blues on Broadbeach: Star-studded names added to annual music festival

Gold Coast Film Festival: Hugo Weaving, Pilger and Harry Potter at 2020 showing

VIVA Surfers Paradise: Tickets on sale for Gold Coast Elvis Presley tribute festival

Crowds at Blues on Broadbeach. Picture: Supplied

Broadbeach Alliance confirmed both would go ahead as planned – unless health authorities advised otherwise.

“Broadbeach Alliance will continue to follow the advice from Queensland Health for our 2020 festivals,” an Alliance statement said. “At this stage Queensland Health have recommended there is no need to cancel any events or gatherings or take additional precautions to normal practice.

“People who are unwell should not attend.”

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles yesterday said there was “no reason to cancel” events but it could change.

“When it comes to mass gatherings, those who have been asked to isolate should not go to them, but otherwise the events should proceed as planned,” he said.

“There is no reason to cancel an event this weekend.”