Hollywood movie leaves business trade down thanks to major road closure

Robina residents and businesses are furious after a major road closure for a Hollywood film shoot left them scrambling with minimal notice and significant disruption. WATCH THE VIDEO

Robina business owners say their operations were thrown into chaos by the closure of a major road for a film shoot.

Robina Parkway was closed on Monday between Cheltenham Drive and Boowaggan Road to facilitate the filming of Runner, a Hollywood production staring Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson.

The movie follows a high-end courier who has three hours to deliver an organ from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.

Actors Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson have completed filming of RUNNER in Queensland, social media pictures of Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson during filming Picture: Instagram

The production has caused disruption across the city, with closures along roads including Marine Pde in Labrador and the Esplanade in Surfers Paradise.

On the corner of Cheltenham Drive and Robina Parkway, House of Lashes and Beauty Bar owner Heleina Jacovides said she was annoyed and frustrated as she was only informed of the closure one business day prior.

“Tom Tate reckons it’s great for the Gold Coast, but a lot of businesses have actually been impacted by it and there hasn’t been any compensation,” she said.

House of Lashes and Beauty Bar owner Heleina Jacovides. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

“We only got told on Friday. In that time we’ve had to contact all our clients, we’ve had cancellations. It definitely has impacted us and impacted the other businesses along here.”

On the corner of Robina Parkway and Markeri St Harvest Foodhouse employee Kaity Jepson said trade had been heavily impacted – with estimated losses sitting at 30 per cent.

“It’s been cool to watch, but it’s not great,” she said.

“They’ve redirected all the traffic into the middle of the car park – I get there’s nowhere else to go, but in the meantime, none of our customers can get in.”

Traffic being detoured at Robina Parkway by Boowaggan Road. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

Ms Jepson said more notice would have helped surrounding businesses plan ahead.

“We only found out midway through last week,” she said.

“It’s not super fair – I get that businesses don’t have a say, but I think it would be nice to at least have a little bit more notice so we can make changes.”

Harvest Foodhouse employee, Kaity Jepson. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

A neighbouring resident said she found out about the road closures a week ago via a Gold Coast Community page, but wasn’t informed via a letter drop until mid last week.

Local councillor Dan Doran said he had opposed the road closure and was concerned about its impact on locals and businesses.

“I did not support this road closure,” he said.

“It was my view that it would cause too much disruption to locals, commuters and business, and that the notification period was too short.”

Cr Doran said in this instance, the City needed to better balance the desire to encourage filmmaking on the Gold Coast, against the disruption it would cause.

Meanwhile at Robina Village none of the businesses were informed of the interruption.

RSPCA Op Shop manager Michelle Howarth said she predicted peak hour “chaos”, as detours and closures weren’t made clear.

“Of all the places you’ve got, you’ve got to shut off a main road to do a bit of filming?” she said.

Still shots from filming of Runner on Robina Parkway. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

“And on a Monday too – why don’t you do it on the weekend, it’s ridiculous really. Someone could have sent out flyers and let businesses and residents know they may be impacted.”

Her prediction rang true with staff member Narelle Olsen, who said traffic congestion had been a “nightmare”.

“I live at The Cape and it was a nightmare for me to get out, because everybody was coming down from Ron Penhaligon Way,” she said.

Ms Olsen said as a nearby resident she was only given notice late last week.

Ms Howarth added that with locations chosen and permits approved by Gold Coast City Council well in advance, city officers should provide the community with ample notice.

The knock on effect was evident across the Gold Coast with one Mudgeeraba resident claiming no one in the area was informed.

“I found out on the radio this morning as I was on my way to the dentist,” they said.

“I was late, but the dentist was running behind as everyone was in the same boat.”

The local said more notice was needed for people across the city to plan ahead, as the road is used by many for their daily commute.

A City spokesperson said once a permit for a road closure has been issued, the permit holder is required to inform businesses and surrounding residents of the closure and potential impacts.

However, the spokesperson added: “In this instance due to the volume of traffic on this road the City also took steps to alert the public, including a media release and radio ads.”

Originally published as Hollywood movie leaves business trade down thanks to major road closure