CURRUMBIN’S GAME CHANGING SESSIONS

BUSINESSES on the southern end of the Gold Coast are still uncertain of what to expect four weeks out from the Games.

Local Currumbin and Coolangatta businesses say they’re excited for the Games, but early trial runs of road closures and cycling events have made them cautiously optimistic.

Currumbin-based The Village Store owners Joanne and Craig Dick said the Cycling Australia Masters Road National Championships held in October last year was a “disaster” for local businesses.

“We’re positive, we’re quite excited but we don’t know what to expect,” Ms Dick said.

“The (cycling) trial we had was a disaster business wise, the streets were blocked off.

“I knew it wouldn’t pull a big crowd (like the Games should) ... the Games will be a totally different kettle of fish.”

She said their corner store was stocking up on items needed as deliveries were set to be restricted during the Commonwealth Games period.

The Salt Mill 4223 owner Johnny Gillett agreed, saying his coffee shop would be preparing closer to the Games as he felt he didn’t have enough information just yet.

“I don’t know the full gist of everything,” he said.

“We’ll really prepare for it when it happens. I think it will be good for the Coast if what they’re putting in place happens.”

Mr Gillett said the cycling event held last year had also hindered rather than helped the business but was keen to see if this would be different after being told half a million people would flood the city during the event.

Vikings Surf Life Saving Club duty manager Rick Clover said his biggest concern was getting staff into work on three days when main roads were blocked.

“We only just found out about road closures last week, we received a document and mulled over it,” he said, adding he hoped a shuttle bus connecting with The Deck Cafe further along Pacific Parade would help alleviate those staffing issues.

The club is set to hang banners outside to draw customers “I’m tailor-made for Cooly Rocks, but I don’t think I’m tailor-made for the Commonwealth Games.” “Apparently 500,000 people are coming ... I’m not sure if the Gold Coast can handle it.” in during the Games and was already preparing the logistics of food and alcohol deliveries and bin pick-ups.

Despite this, Mr Clover said the club had already received large group bookings on the day of the cycling event.

But the lack of information given to Currumbin residents RESIDENTS in Currumbin are being urged to attend a series of information sessions as the Get Set for the Games program ramps up.

Get Set Gold Coast team lead Sue Horn said full details of Commonwealth Games events and temporary changes in the southern Gold Coast area were being provided to the local community.

“Our program is really ramping up in March ahead of the Games to ensure everyone can plan ahead and have a great experience,” Ms Horn said.

has frustrated local MP Jann Stuckey, who said the Get Set for the Games App had failed to incorporate Currumbin’s free events on the journey planner.

“What appears to be a free event doesn’t rate (on the app), yet two-thirds of my electroate is affected,” Ms Stuckey said. “We have received a group booking of 40 on cycling day.”

“We want to build the excitement of the Games and key to this is ensuring the community has all the information they need.”

“Our next wave of information sessions starts Thursday and includes a shopfront at the Pines Shopping Centre from March 1-29.

“All Information sessions will have subject matter experts from GOLDOC and across the Games partnership on hand to answer questions.”

For more information visit getsetforthegames.com

“To date 430 of my constituents have written to me with issues about getting around during the Games.

“Yes, it’s wonderful (that the Games are here)... but they’ve just left it so long to drip-feed them information.”

In Coolangatta, vintage store Retrosheila owner Gregory Pead said he would open on the first two days of the event but if it failed to pull customers, he would shut up shop for the duration of the Games.

“I’m tailor-made for Cooly Rocks, but I don’t think I’m tailor-made for the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“I think if people are coming for volleyball, they’re not coming down for 50s dresses.”

Steve Archdeacon of restaurant Baskk at Kirra Point said he had been through the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982 and had an idea of what to expect.

“It was invaluable in knowing what to expect,” he said.

“International athletes, they don’t come in (couples), they come in groups of 10s or 20s.

“You’ve gotta be ready for instead of selling 10, that you’re selling 30 pieces of fish.”

He added that they would be hiring extra coolrooms and doubling staff to cope with the projected demand. “(International athletes) come in groups of 10s and 20s. You’ve gotta be ready for instead of selling 10, that you’re selling 30 pieces of fish.”