The Gold Coast Bulletin

Supersafe Supercars

Terror expert to tighten GC600 security

- JACK HARBOUR jack.harbour@news.com.au

SUPERCARS bosses have hired a counter-terrorism expert to pore over the Gold Coast 600 street track.

Ex-NSW Police Superinten­dent Craig Sheridan is reviewing all races in the Supercars series but he will have a particular focus on the GC600 in October as it is seen as more difficult to protect due to its size and the layout of the course.

Supercars Australia CEO James Warburton said the track presented a number of logistical challenges for organisers – such as transport, the concerts and movement within the precinct.

“The Gold Coast 600 has so many moving parts,” Mr Warburton said.

“We have really refined our security and crisis management procedures to be prepared for most predicted eventualit­ies, whether they be a major incident on or off track, a natural disaster or a threat of some kind.

“Sadly, we are living in a time where threats are becoming more difficult to predict which means you need to be prepared.

“There are dozens of scenarios that are rehearsed and planned for.”

Last month Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate announced plans to install pop-up anti-terror bollards in two suburbs to prevent a repeat of the truck attack that killed 86 people in France on Bastille Day last year.

Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach will get the heavy-duty, pop-up bollards. They will also be considered at Coolangatt­a and Southport.

Cr Tate said the $500,000 spent on 16 bollards in Surfers Paradise would make the area one of the safest public spaces in Australia.

Gold Coast police Major Events Senior Sergeant Des Hearn said planning around terror prevention was an increasing­ly important part of police work for events like the GC600. He welcomed Mr Sheridan’s appointmen­t.

“It’s always good to have a fresh set of eyes look at the same issue and he may pick up something that we have overlooked or haven’t given as much attention to,” Sen Sgt Hearn said.

“Especially someone of his calibre looking at it is a benefit.”

Mr Sheridan said his role with Supercars was to review security procedures and provide advice on how to make events like the GC600 safer.

Mr Sheridan was formally in charge of the NSW Plan- ning Unit’s Major Events and Incidents Group.

“Supercars has long been considered one of the benchmarks in their security and crisis management planning,” Mr Sheridan said. “It’s a unique environmen­t where every event is a completely different set of circumstan­ces.

“I have been able to help review and consolidat­e those plans by taking a look from the outside and using my experience to offer advice on where things might be improved.

“The Supercars guys do a very good job. Their practises are world’s best.”

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