Brisbane's G20 Leaders' Summit - How Will It Affect You?

The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) on November 15 and 16.

With 36 Internationally Protected Persons (IPP), including 26 world leaders expected to attend, this will be the largest peace-time security operation in Australia’s history.

The Queensland Police Service says at this stage there is no plan or intention to lock down the city of Brisbane.

G20 events will be as far as possible interwoven with business as usual, however some residents and businesses located near the restricted areas may expect some disruptions in the immediate lead-up to, and during the G20 events.

Assistant Commissioner Katarina Carroll Queensland Police Service, who has been tasked with overseeing the G20 Group said, “It definitely is [Brisbane’s biggest ever security operation] – arguably in Australia, but definitely the biggest operation in Queensland.”

Security

According to The Courier Mail  police have extended the time and locations that will be subject to restrictions — security lockdowns will now begin on November 8, six days earlier than planned.

Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett told The Courier Mail that police needed the extra time because protesters would be out in force earlier than first anticipated.

The changes also mean the public will be banned from entering the Southbank Cultural Precinct — including the Gallery of Modern Art, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Art Gallery on November 15.

Streets around the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre will now be closed from November 1.

According to ABC Online, Commissioner Ian Stewart announced that there would also be extra security at Parliament House when it sits and extra patrols on normal days.

He said there was no new specific threat but said security needed to be thorough, especially in the lead up to the G20 Leaders' Summit next month.

"We will ramp up as necessary and ramp down our security, depending on our intelligence at the time," he said.

"This is about assuring the public and giving them confidence that we are ready to respond to any threat."Commissioner Stewart said police had planned for every possible threat for G20.

"We have been planning for this event for two years ... and taken into consideration what may occur, we have trained for that and equipped our people for that," he said.

"When events like this occur, we take precautions, but there is no specific threat that we are aware of for G20, but we are mindful of the potential for that to change very, very quickly."

The rest of the inner city will become a declared area on November 14, during which police will have increased powers under the G20 (Safety and Security) Act 2013 to search and detain people for the duration of the G20.

There will be 5000 police on the streets of Brisbane, including 3500 Queensland officers, all on a 24-hour roster.
Restricted Areas

Under the G20 (Safety and Security) Act 2013 there are areas that will be restricted for a set period of time. Authorised delegates, media and staff with appropriate Commonwealth accreditation will be the only people allowed access to a restricted area.

Restricted areas include:

• The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC)

• The Royal National Association (RNA) Showgrounds

• Leader accommodation venues

Assistant Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the RNA is being used for certain purposes and it’s restricted intimately around that area.

‘‘There will have to be stuff done to the inside of the BCEC ... but you probably won’t start to notice barricading of any type around the hotels or the BCEC until about ten days to a week out,’’ Ms Carroll said.

Road Closures
Ms Carroll encourages people to use public transport during the event weekend and to allow time for travel. Staff who need to work within the declared areas will need to ensure they have planned enough time to get to work.

“It’s going to be impossible to drive into the city with your vehicle that weekend without impacting on what we’re trying to achieve, so it really is about using public transport and being familiar with the changes in the public transport,” she said.

Closures from 12:01am Tuesday 11 November to 5:00am Monday 17 November:

• : Closed in-bound between Ivory Street and Queen Street. Out-bound traffic will operate as normal.

• : Closed in-bound between Brunswick Street and Ann Street and Story Bridge and Ann Street. Out bound traffic will operate as normal.

• : One lane closed in-bound, from the intersection of Adelaide and Queens Streets for approximately 100 metres. Out-bound traffic will operate as usual.

• Lane closures with through traffic permitted.

• Closed to traffic, pedestrian access maintained on the northside. Cyclists are encouraged to use Kurilpa Bridge.

• Closed between Ann and Margaret Streets.

• Exit and entry via William Street will be closed, access will be available from the south.

• Closed between George Street and North Quay.

• Closed in-bound between Ann Street and Wharf Street

• Closed out-bound between Wharf Street and Adelaide Street

• Closed out-bound between Macrossan Street and Queen Street

  This results in a full road closure given in-bound closure from Tuesday 11 November.

Images via G20 Australia and The Courier Mail