New COVID-19 safety rules leave gyms in Gold Coast’s residential towers unable to open

New COVID-19 safety measures have left gyms in the Gold Coast’s residential towers unable to open. Here’s why.

GYMS in residential towers on the Gold Coast have been hamstrung by new COVID-19 rules and unable to open according to the body corporate industry.

Under new COVID-19 safe measures, all gyms must be supervised and keep a register of users.

Facilities must also ensure residents have a maximum of 20 people per designated area and clean equipment frequently.

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However unlike commercial gyms, body corporates which manage gyms for tenants say they simply can’t afford to have someone monitor the building’s gym at all hours.

Instead many say they have been forced to close their doors so as not to risk a $13,345 fine.

Archers the Strata Professionals partner Grant Mifsud said residential communities had been forgotten in the process.

“These directions treat gyms in strata communities the same as commercial gym operations,” Mr Mifsud said.

“Bodies corporate responsible for gyms must comply with the ‘COVID Safe Industry Plan for the Fitness Industry’, so many managers of apartment complexes who open their gyms risk a fine of up to $13,345 if they fail to comply with the plan.”

Mr Mifsud said while some bodies corporate had resources to comply, others had no choice but to keep their gyms closed.

Many gyms are now unable to open.

Bodies corporates which have had to close gyms are facing complaints from angry tenants, while some owners are refusing to pay levies because facilities were unavailable, he said.

“There are risks and difficulties for bodies corporate that are associated with both opening gyms and closing gyms,” Mr Mifsud said.

“Some strata communities are able to comply with the directives by supervising gyms via a video link to the building manager’s office. They also have staff to clean the gym regularly, provide hand sanitiser and alcohol-based wipes for residents and prevent use of communal showers.

“But there are many communities without the resources to implement these measures and if residents use the gym the body corporate could be fined.”

Chevron Renaissance body corporate committee member Deborah Trussell, said the situation had been extremely frustrating for tenants.

The 726-unit Surfer Paradise complex has been unable to reopen its two gyms because of the strict rules.

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“They say supervise full stop which means you basically have to hire someone to keep the gym open.

“It is fine for gyms that are businesses but for us it is a courtesy recreational thing. We haven’t been able to open which is a real shame, but we are hoping we will get more specific advice.”

The Strata Community Association (Qld) has written to Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk seeking further guidance on the issue.