In just a few short weeks, over the weekend of the 15 and 16 of November, Brisbane is set to be home to the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit. Considered the most important event in the G20 year, the summit provides a valuable opportunity for leaders to come together and discuss a wide range of global economic issues while also using their collective power to improve people’s lives.
 
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre will be the principal meeting venue for the G20; it is expected to host a somewhat 4,000 delegates and 3,000 media representatives from around the world over the course of the event.
 
The G20 summit is an event that draws global attention, thus making it an invaluable opportunity for Brisbane and its businesses. Being at the centre of this world event will inevitably promote tourism, build international networks and highlight the best of what Brisbane has to offer.
 
However, these are not the only things expected to come from the 2014 summit. The global-scale event is also anticipating hundreds of activists to attend over the weekend. Thus, in an effort to help control protestors and protect leaders, authorities have designated a number of declared and restricted zones throughout the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
 
According to Deputy Commissioner Barnett, the South Bank Cultural Precinct will be restricted for the public on the Friday and Saturday of the G20.
 
“The area will be ‘declared’ on the Friday and ‘restricted’ on the Saturday,” he said.
 
People are able to move freely throughout declared areas, however the police will have additional powers to stop and search people, and seize things they believe could become a threat. While, gaining access to a restricted area will be much stricter and formal accreditation from the Commonwealth Government will be required in order to gain access.
 
Barnett further explains, “In a declared area you are free to do what you please, but in restricted areas, it’s a no-go.”
 
More recently, extra restricted zones have been put in place from November 1 to November 17 to effectively give police the ability to prevent protests and protesters from getting close to the conference venue. These extra zones will occur at several road intersections surrounding the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, including short sections of Glenelg, Merivale, Melbourne, Russell and Hope Streets at South Brisbane.
 
Other restricted zones will occur between Musgrave Park - an important indigenous site in Brisbane - and the conference venue.
 
Three extra Brisbane hotels have also been added to the G20 restricted zone, including: Gambaro's Hotel on CaxtonStreet from November 14, the Intercontinental Hotel at Sanctuary Cove from November 9, and Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Brisbane from November 12.

Meanwhile, two extra Gold Coast hotels have been added to the list of declared zones - the Surfers Paradise Marriott and the Palazzo Versace.

So there you have it, that’s all the latest for the G20 Leader’s Summit. What are your thoughts… are you for or against all of the restrictions taking place? How do they affect you, your home or your business?