Pandemic disrupts key Coast events

COOLY Rocks On has been cancelled and the Gold Coast Marathon is in doubt as organisers grapple with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Festival CEO Josh Martin said the “enormous decision” to hold off until 2021 meant organisers would have to reverse a year of planning.

“We were planning an epic event and were so looking forward to sharing it with you all,” he said yesterday.

“While we know this news is going to be disappointing to so many people, the health and wellbeing of our community and visitors is paramount.”

The award-winning rock and roll nostalgia festival celebrating the 50s, 60s and 70s was set for June 3-7.

Mr Martin said the festival would make a comeback from June 9-13 next year.

Cooly Rocks On attracted more than 120,000 people to Coolangatta last year and pumped almost $7 million into the Gold Coast economy.

Meanwhile, organisers of the marathon, due be held on July 4-5, also flagged trouble yesterday. It was announced planning and registrations had been suspended. Events Management Queensland said the suspension would be reviewed before May 19.

“In considering the uncertainty of our ability to deliver an event in July, the Board of Events Management Queensland yesterday (Tuesday) decided to suspend planning and entry registrations for the 2020 Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon, effective immediately,” a statement read.

“The Gold Coast Marathon is not immune to the impacts, and the regulations applied by governments to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We do not know when the public health emergency in Queensland will end. Like you, we hope it will end soon.”

Events Management Queensland said it would review the status of entry fees “plus a multitude of other financial and contractual considerations”.

Last year, the marathon injected $34.5 million into the local economy and brought more than 46,000 visitors to the city, including 7000 from overseas.