Between a rock and a hard place

COMMONWEALTH Games Minister Kate Jones has been caught up in construction chaos that has traders in a major Games precinct shedding staff and counting their losses.

Cafe and shop owners along Pacific Pde at Currumbin, where the Games road cycling and race walk will be held, say they are losing customers as car parks disappear behind a massive fence around the popular beachfront.

They also say there has been a lack of information and consultation over the huge build, which has also swallowed dozens of car parks at one of the Coast’s most famous surfing breaks, Currumbin Alley.

With pumping waves this week, surfers clashed with construction workers as tempers flared over vanishing car parks. Three surf schools have also been forced out.

Ms Jones said Games organisers were working to open up “as many car parks as we can”.

Elephant Rock Cafe owner Greg Colwill said: “It’s just ridiculous. Car parks have been fenced off and the few that are left are being taken over by construction workers.”

“Our customers and staff are having massive difficulties getting in. I want the Games to be a success but this is seriously affecting everyone.”