Games fire up services traffic fears

EMERGENCY support services are planning to relocate staff and cancel face-to-face interviews with clients, fearing transport gridlock during the Commonwealth Games.

Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence director Di Macleod said yesterday her staff were preparing to work offsite during the event next April.

The Bulletin is also aware of domestic violence support agencies concerned about their staff getting to work to meet clients in crisis.

Some medical may close.

Routes to the aquatic centre and athletes village are expected to be crowded during the two weeks of the Games, creating access problems for workers in the Southport CBD.

“We are not quite sure how providers it is going to work out. Our advisers have just come back from a forum,” Ms Macleod said.

“We really can’t make too many decisions until they advise if the road closures are finalised.

“We will have to see if we can get into the building, if we can work on site or take it off site.

“We certainly won’t be able to be on a nine-to-five client basis. There may be different modes of service delivery, so there won’t be any face-to-face interviews happening at that time.”

The council responded yesterday by assuring not-forprofit organisations that the latest information could be obtained by going to the website getsetforthegames.com

“The city is also developing an information session specifically for the not-for-profit sector to assist with business continuity planning,” the official said.

Ms Macleod said her management team would meet to discuss a plan on how to respond to crisis calls once Games organisers provide updates early next month.

“It may be that we have to redirect phone lines offsite,” she said.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek said he had been approached by another welfare agency, which he advised to contact Games support staff.

“I’ve had discussions with service providers concerned about the impact on transport and access,” Mr Molhoek said.

Opposition domestic violence official Ros Bates said the Government’s traffic planning for the Games was impacting on vital frontline domestic violence services.

Phone DV Connect on 1800 811 811 or the Mensline on 1800 600 636