APEC is coming to Sydney!
As the above photo shows, the spin doctors are out in full force trying to put the best possible gloss on this “opportunity”.
So let’s go over some of the opportunities.
Lock downs in Sydney CBD, and restricted access to parts thereof, concrete barricades galore, apparently unlimited police powers of arrest, the closing of many roads, and at times the Harbour Bridge, to name but some of the fun Sydneysiders’ can expect when world leaders assemble here in Fort Sydney in a few weeks time.
Can’t these people meet on an island somewhere? An island would surely be far easier to fortify than a city centre?
Thankfully, about the only occasion I have to go anywhere near Sydney’s CBD these days is to visit my dentist every six months.
I love some of the copy appearing on the APEC website though.
Some short-term traffic disruption is expected and will include the closure of roads, the implementation of clearways and public transport diversions similar to those previously experienced during Sydney’s large hallmark events.
Hmm, I wonder if the public transport system then will run like clockwork, as it has during other “hallmark events”?
Sydney is a truly global city with extensive experience in hosting major international events including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup 2003 and the 2006 Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate Ministerial Meeting.
Yeah, sure, Sydney is truly a “global city”. Unless you want to buy a beer, or glass of wine, at a cafe that is, you then need to order, or “intend” to order, a meal. Quite sophisticated…
There’s also an extensive FAQ section on the website, and what if you do want to watch US President George Bush’s motorcade when he arrives in Sydney or is attending meetings?
The NSW Police Force appreciates that members of the public will be interested in watching the President of the United States whilst he is in Sydney. It is possible that members of the public might see police escorting dignitaries through the CBD, however, the times of motorcades will not be advertised. Some motorcades will be as small as two cars.
Two cars? I expect that will be John Howard’s “motorcade”.
Randwick is about six kilometres from Sydney’s CBD so I expect it will pretty much be business as usual around here, despite the fact Friday, September 7, (being the first day of the leaders forum) will be a public holiday.
Apparently some 25,000 hotel rooms are required as a result of APEC… there’ll certainly be some happy hoteliers about!
If I was told about the junkets associated with being an economist I would have taken economics much more seriously at University.
Also that site breaks badly in Firefox.
So I have to admit: the part I got stuck on was … you have to order drinks with a meal in cafes? What’s up with that?
You’re right about needing to be held on island like place. When CHOGM was held in QLD they did it at Coolum which is sufficiently far enough away from everything to not disturb the day-to-day life. While much smaller than APEC it should work in principle if not for the 25k hotel rooms needed, holy smokes!
@ Anthony - The APEC site looks shocking in Opera as well. So much for “best practice”… There’s a lot of businesses who are concerned about the impact the forum will have. While the hotels will certainly be winners a lot of retailers are concerned that trading will suffer.
A lot of companies aren’t happy about the public holiday either, given there’s already the “bank holiday” next Monday, and then Labour Day in early October!
@Kurt - yes antiqued liqour laws! There are certain cafes that allow us to say order dessert “first” (hehe) and then serve drinks. Dessert is usually so filling though, that there’s no room for a main meal!! ;)