A state of emergency sparked by a collapsed crane and fallen power lines on the Gold Coast has finally been lifted, allowing most campers and residents to return to their holiday park after a chaotic Christmas disruption.
Christmas Day Disaster Strikes Tourist Park
The festive chaos began on Christmas Day when powerful winds snapped a massive 30-tonne crane at the Broadwater Tourist Park. The incident created widespread hazards, including the crane dangling precariously and downed power lines, posing a severe risk to public safety.
In response, Queensland Police enacted an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) to protect those on site. This action led to the immediate evacuation of the area, displacing more than 90 people across 36 campsites during what is typically a peak holiday period.
Extended Exclusion Zone and Community Impact
The emergency exclusion zone, established on December 25, covered a significant area bounded by the Gold Coast Highway, North Street, Loders Creek, and the Broadwater. For days, emergency crews worked to assess the safety risks and secure the unstable site, while evacuated campers faced an uncertain and disrupted holiday.
The caravan park itself was also lashed by the same severe weather system that caused the crane to snap, compounding the damage and danger.
Return to Normalcy with Ongoing Restrictions
Queensland Police confirmed the PSPA declaration was officially revoked at 4pm on Tuesday, marking a major step towards normalcy. By Wednesday, authorities announced that residents and campers could return to most sections of the popular tourist park.
However, some restrictions remain in place. Access to the directly impacted Marine Parade building is expected to stay restricted until at least midday on Wednesday as final safety checks are completed. The dramatic image of the snapped crane looming over the caravan park serves as a stark reminder of the narrow escape and the extensive work undertaken by emergency services over the holiday period.
