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Playrope Aqua-Fun, are the Australian & New Zealand exclusive distributors for Vortex Aquatic Structures International, the world leader in aquatic playgrounds and urban water landscapes.…
read moreThe impending arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred has prompted local governments in South East Queensland and Northern NSW to close their aquatic and recreation centres along with sporting facilities and sports grounds.
However, while closed for their usual use, other facilities are being repurposed as emergency relief centres.
With millions of Queensland and New South Wales residents at risk with the storm warnings stretching along more than 500 kilometres of coastland and inland areas, Gold Coast City Council closed all aquatic centres, libraries, community and sport centres, advising that they “will not reopen until at least Monday”.
City of Gold Coast Chief Executive, Tim Baker said the reopening dates had been pushed out with the change in the forecast, commenting “safety is our number one priority and with all efforts focused on disaster response activity and the changed forecast it was prudent to make decisions now.
“By closing these facilities for the whole weekend it gives clarity to the community.”
“It also allows us to continue to prioritise critical services like water and focus on cyclone response activities.”
In northern NSW, the Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre in Murwillumbah and the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre have also been closed.
By contrast, a number of community and sport centres are being used as evacuation and emergency relief centres for impacted residents.
This includes the City of Gold Coast’s Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium and Pimpama Sports Hub and Noosa Council keeping the Noosa Leisure Centre open for those who have no other place to go during Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Cyclone Alfred has also led to this weekend's 2025 Brisbane Senior Metro Championships - due to have commenced today at the Brisbane/Sleeman Aquatic Centre - to be cancelled.
While event organiser Swimming Brisbane is understood to have explored options to reschedule the event, its cancellation is as a result of no alternative weekend is available.
Relief Programs
The NSW and Queensland Governments have each announced Community Recovery Support Fund - each currently worth $15 million - and jointly funded by the Federal Government, available to NSW councils and their communities following the impacts of the Cyclone Alfred weather event.
Image: Shutterstock - used for illustrative purposes only.
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5th March 2025 - Tropical Cyclone Alfred prompts AFL to call off Thursday’s season opener at the Gabba
4th March 2025 - Cyclone Alfred impacts events, fixtures and facilities industry across South East Queensland
28th February 2025 - City of Gold Coast enhances aquatic accessibility with new technology and equipment
15th February 2025 - Queensland Government offers disaster relief payments to community sporting clubs
11th January 2025 - Gold Coast City Council makes case to stage Brisbane 2032 aquatic events
2nd August 2024 - Australian Pool Rescue Championships commence at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
26th July 2024 - Tourism operators to be financially supported following impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper
3rd January 2024 - Wild weather events impact Queensland tourism
1st January 2024 - Disaster Relief Australia to aid Queensland storm clean-up
1st January 2024 - Severe weather closes Gold Coast attractions, aquatic centres and sports hubs
23rd September 2023 - Queenstown rebounds after weather event and prepares to welcome visitors
8th December 2022 - Murwillumbah’s 50 metre pool reopens for summer season
2nd March 2022 - NRL establishes relief fund for flood-affected grassroots clubs in NSW and Queensland
18th January 2022 - Disaster funding now available for Queensland sport and recreation clubs impacted by cyclone
8th January 2022 - Noosa Aquatic Centre reopens after COVID scare
14th May 2021 - Miami Aquatic Centre reopens following major upgrade
12th April 2017 - $12 million prioritised for Tropical Cyclone Debbie affected sports clubs
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