A major sports event has been relocated from a Sunshine Coast town amid opposition to proposed road closures, including threats to ignore them.
AusCycling has moved the Junior & Masters Road National Championships road races from Yandina to Corbould Park later this month amid safety fears.
“Following significant community concern regarding the originally planned course in Yandina, the required approval for that course could not be secured,” the organisation stated in a media release.
“We could not simply proceed with a course where there are concerns about compliance with traffic management arrangements and serious threats to athletes, staff and volunteers.”
There was significant local opposition to plans for the races there, with worries about impacts on traffic flow and parking.
But AusCycling EGM Major Events Steve Peterson told Sunshine Coast News that the backlash included some disturbing behaviour.
“Some of the criticism levelled at our staff and riders has been particularly toxic and concerning, including a number of threats that suggested road closures and traffic management would be ignored,” he said.
“We’ve responded with some changes to courses and event format, balancing the impact across more venues but also establishing a set of courses that we are confident can be appropriately managed in terms of risk.
“Yandina’s closures are one day only for the time trial now and utilising only one road, purposely designed to avoid school periods and reduce most of the potential impacts.”
The road races will be held at Corbould Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, time trials will be held at Yandina and North Arm on Thursday, September 17, and criteriums will be at Girraween Sports Complex at Noosa on Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19.
Mr Peterson said, via the release, that the process had “been a real struggle”.
“We know the uncertainty has been frustrating for our riders, their families and everyone involved in these championships.”
“Our priority has always been our community of riders and finding a way to give them the opportunity to compete at Nationals. We’re really pleased to have been able to find a solution that allows the championships to go ahead.
“It’s not the outcome we originally set out to deliver but it’s an outcome that means our junior and masters riders can get on the start line and compete for a national title on the Sunshine Coast.”
AusCycling last week informed Yandina residents and business owners that it was “seeking to relocate the road races”, before confirming the move to Corbould Park.
Yandina and District Community Association president Marie Reeve said locals “welcomed the relocation of the road races”.
“There was an overwhelming rejection of the proposed total road closures. Residents and businesses are pleased Council refused to grant the road closure permit,” she said.
“A complete road closure from 7am to 5.30pm on Saturday and 7.30am to 5pm on Sunday was simply unworkable (and) AusCycling’s unapproved road closures notification, just three weeks out from the event, incited anger. Residents had commitments and needed to be able to go about their business. Over 300 households would have been inconvenienced.”
She said the races would have clashed with the Yandina Country Markets and impacted popular businesses including Spirit House and Fairhill Gardens.
Ms Reeve also said the wording on the notification, including ‘closed means closed’ was “very authoritarian”.
But she was disappointed by the reactions of some locals, including on social media.
“There were threats on non-compliance. People threatened to disregard the road closures,” she said.
“It was disappointing that people resorted to name calling and threats. It is not condoned. People needed to talk through the issues and see the decision from both sides.”
Ms Reeve said there had been “a lack of understanding and communication in the planning of this event” and called on the council to ensure it did not happen again, particularly as the region could host Olympic road cycling events in 2032.
With decisions on the championships now made, she hoped Sunshine Coast residents will get behind the competitors.
“The shock announcement of road closures created stress in the Yandina community but I hope, with the adjustments made to the program, people can get out there and cheer on the athletes, especially the juniors aiming for the Olympics.”
AusCycling Director of Pathways Donna Rae-Szalinski said the Corbould Park course would provide a technical and challenging test.
“We acknowledge that Corbould Park doesn’t provide the hills and elevation you would find on some traditional road racing courses but it offers a different set of challenges that are equally important to a rider’s development,” she said.
“It’s a technical course that will force riders to think about their position throughout the race and make good decisions under pressure. Acceleration out of the corners will be important and, as the race progresses, fatigue will build both physically and mentally.
“That’s really valuable for our junior riders. Many of our most promising young riders go on to race in Europe, where they are immediately faced with intense racing.
AusCycling stated that it was “disappointed in the late change on course approvals and the nature of community criticisms” but it “is pleased to be able to deliver this important event for our community, whilst also ensuring their safety and minimising impacts on the local community”.
“Together with Sunshine Coast Council, we have requested the full cooperation and compliance of all residents in these locations to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for our junior and masters riders, staff and volunteers.”
A council representative stated that the council welcomed the outcome “that enables the event to remain on the Sunshine Coast”.
“Throughout this process, Council worked closely with AusCycling, Queensland Police, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Translink and other stakeholders to identify a solution that supports the event while taking into account community access, traffic management and safety considerations.”
The representative said council’s role in major events is “to work with organisers and relevant agencies to assess permits, manage public assets and support outcomes that balance event success with community needs”.
The representative also addressed concerns about some community reactions.
“Council does not condone behaviour that compromises the safety and wellbeing of athletes, volunteers, event staff or members of the public. Safety must remain the highest priority for everyone involved.”
Further information is available on the event page.
