Saturday 16 November – Friday 22 November 2019

1. About Safer Schoolies 1

1.1 What is the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response? 1

1.2 What are the dates for the Safer Schoolies Response in 2019? 1

1.3 How many Year 12 school leavers are expected to be on the Gold Coast during the Safer Schoolies Response? 1

1.4 What is being done to manage non-schoolies? 1

2. Safer Schoolies diversionary activities 1

2.1 What diversionary activities are delivered? 1

2.2 What entertainment is provided? 2

2.3 How do schoolies access the Schoolies Hub? 2

3. Safer Schoolies wristbands 2

3.1 How do schoolies get a Safer Schoolies wristband? 2

3.2 Where do schoolies get a Safer Schoolies wristband? 2

3.4 When will the Wristband Centre be open? 2

4. Safer Schoolies support services 2

4.1 Recharge Zones 2

4.2 Schoolies Support Team 2

4.3 Accommodation outreach service 3

4.4 Red Frogs Hotline 3

5. Media enquiries 3

6. Fines and the law 3

6.1 What is being done to reduce the supply of alcohol to minors? 3

6.2 Liquor laws 4

6.3 Proof of age/fake IDs 4

6.4 ID confiscation 4

7. Public transport 5

8. Road closures 5

9. Further information 5

10. Important contacts 6

11. Changed traffic conditions map 7

This guide acts as a quick reference tool for information on the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response.

1. ABOUT SAFER SCHOOLIES

1.1 What is the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response?

The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women coordinates the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response (Safer Schoolies Response) in partnership with the City of Gold Coast and numerous government agencies to manage the influx of tens of thousands of Year 12 school leavers who choose to book their end-of-year holidays on the Gold Coast.

The Safer Schoolies Response aims to enhance the safety of school leavers participating in end-of-school celebrations and minimise potential impacts on the local community.

Key elements of the Safer Schoolies Response include:

• an increased police presence

• the delivery of alcohol and drug free diversionary activities

• wristbanding to easily identify schoolies

• the establishment of a purpose-built medical facility

• a range of integrated and coordinated health and support services

• a suite of safety and security initiatives

• increased compliance activities.

Police, emergency services, security and volunteers maintain a highly visible presence during Schoolies, providing the community and visitors with additional support.

Numerous non-government groups, including: Rosies - Friends on the Street, Drug ARM Australasia, Red Frogs Australia, Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence, Gold Coast Youth Service, State Emergency Service and Volunteers in Policing, work in collaboration with the Queensland Government to support the delivery of the Safer Schoolies Response and provide practical support to schoolies.

1.2 What are the dates for the Safer Schoolies Response in 2019?

While commercial booking agencies promote Gold Coast Schoolies from late November to early December, the official Safer Schoolies Response will take place between Saturday 16 and Friday 22 November when the majority of attendees are expected to be under 18 years of age.

1.3 How many Year 12 school leavers are expected to be on the Gold Coast during the Safer Schoolies Response?

Approximately 16,000 - 18,000 schoolies are expected to visit the Gold Coast during the 2019 Safer Schoolies Response period, incorporating school leavers from across Australia.

This is a reduction from previous years due to the introduction of Prep in Queensland. In 2020, numbers are expected to return again to over 22,000.

1.4 What is being done to manage non-schoolies?

Safer Schoolies diversionary activities are for graduating Year 12 school leavers only. Year 12 school leavers and parents are urged to discourage underage youth and non-schoolies from attending Schoolies.

This message is reinforced through the Safer Schoolies communication campaign.

2. SAFER SCHOOLIES DIVERSIONARY ACTIVITIES

2.1 What diversionary activities are delivered?

As part of the Safer Schoolies Response, central Surfers Paradise beach will be fenced nightly for exclusive access by legitimate Year 12 school leavers only. Known as the Schoolies Hub, the area will host seven nights of free entertainment in an alcohol and drug free environment.

The Schoolies Hub will operate from 7pm to 12am, nightly.

*Note closing times may vary depending on a safety assessment of the greater precinct.

2.2 What entertainment is provided?

The Schoolies Hub will host six nights of DJ entertainment across two stages and one night of alternative entertainment (known as the Chill Out Night). The Chill Out Night aims to provide schoolies with a ‘night off’, encouraging them to relax and enjoy a quieter evening with their friends.

2.3 How do schoolies access the Schoolies Hub?

The Schoolies Hub is for legitimate Year 12 school leavers only. Those wishing to access the free Schoolies Hub will need to obtain a Safer Schoolies wristband. Accommodation and building passes do not provide entry into the Schoolies Hub.

Schoolies are required to keep their wristband on for the duration of their stay on the Gold Coast, as removing or sharing it will make it invalid.

3. SAFER SCHOOLIES WRISTBANDS

3.1 How do schoolies get a Safer Schoolies wristband?

Safer Schoolies wristbands will be distributed to school leavers on proof of Year 12 school leaver status through the presentation of a current student photo ID. When unsuitable ID is presented to security, strict scrutiny processes are in place to determine if the school leaver is eligible to receive a wristband.

3.2 Where do schoolies get a Safer Schoolies wristband?

Schoolies can collect their Safer Schoolies wristband from the Wristband Centre located at the Cypress Avenue Carpark, corner of Cypress Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway.

3.3 When will the Wristband Centre be open?

The Wristband Centre will operate from:

11am to 8pm - Saturday 6pm to 8pm - Sunday to Friday.

4. SAFER SCHOOLIES SUPPORT SERVICES

4.1 Recharge Zones

Recharge Zones are established during the Safer Schoolies Response to provide schoolies with private, safe places to rest and receive support. Staffed by trained volunteers, the Recharge Zones are a focal point during the night-time activities with volunteers handing out free water to schoolies as well as providing support, assistance and referrals to other support services as required.

Recharge Zones will be staffed by volunteers from Drug ARM Australasia, Rosies - Friends on the Street and Gold Coast Youth Service. The existing Chill Out Zone in Orchid Avenue, operated by Gold Coast Youth Service, will also support schoolies. These Recharge Zones receive visits from thousands of schoolies each night, often just for a friendly chat and a cup of water.

4.2 Schoolies Support Team

The Schoolies Support Team (SST) is made up of volunteers from the general Gold Coast community who freely give their time to assist young people and the local community during the Safer Schoolies Response. Volunteers patrol Surfers Paradise Beach, Cavill Mall, The Esplanade, Orchid Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard in groups of four, and provide a first point of contact for schoolies needing assistance, information or referral to other support services.

They also assist with the distribution of official Safer Schoolies wristbands to schoolies through the Wristband Centre.

SST volunteers provide an invaluable community service by acting as extra eyes and ears for police and emergency services on-the-ground, and perhaps most importantly, they provide friendly faces that schoolies can trust, for advice and non-judgemental support when needed.

SAFER SCHOOLIES INFORMATION GUIDE 2

4.3 Accommodation outreach service

Red Frogs Australia provide accommodation outreach services to schoolies staying in accommodation premises during the Safer Schoolies Response, and the week immediately following.

Red Frogs volunteers provide practical support and assistance to schoolies in their accommodation premises, including room visits and pancake cook-ups, or assisting with mediating problems.

Red Frogs volunteers act as the eyes and ears in accommodation venues and provide a positive peer presence to help support schoolies during their stay.

4.4 Red Frogs Hotline

The Red Frogs 24-hour hotline (1300 557 123) will be available for schoolies to call for support, assistance and information.

Through the hotline, schoolies can request a Red Frogs team for a room visit, to walk them home safely, or have pancakes cooked in their unit.

5. MEDIA ENQUIRIES

The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women provides a 24-hour media management service over the seven-night Safer Schoolies Response.

All media personnel, including journalists, photographers and camera operators, conducting media activity at the Safer Schoolies Response must apply to the department for media accreditation.

If you are approached by the media and are unsure of how to handle the situation, please contact the Safer Schoolies Response Media Managers:

• 4am - 4pm Ian Buchanan: 0407 242 156 ian@gpcom.com.au

• 4pm - 4am Wayne Hickson: 0407 028 917 wayne@gpcom.com.au.

6. FINES AND THE LAW

6.1 What is being done to reduce the supply of alcohol to minors?

It has always been an offence to supply alcohol to minors on licensed premises. Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation investigators patrol licensed venues during the Safer Schoolies Response on the lookout for this type of behaviour.

Under the Queensland Government’s secondary supply laws, adults must provide responsible supervision to minors when supplying alcohol for consumption in private places, such as parties. Penalties of up to $10,676 apply to any adult (over 18) caught providing alcohol to a minor for consumption in an unsupervised environment.

Police can confiscate alcohol in cars and public places, this includes the driveways of accommodation premises, and dispose of alcohol they reasonably suspect is intended for unsupervised consumption by minors.

Police and Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation investigators will be on the lookout for underage drinkers and adults illegally supplying alcohol to minors during Schoolies.

As part of the Safer Schoolies Response, Safer Schoolies Education Sessions have been delivered to Year 12 students in a number of south east Queensland schools in the lead up to Schoolies. Sessions reinforce messages regarding responsible choices about alcohol, including legal and health factors.

6.2 Liquor laws

Many schoolies (especially those from southern states) are unaware of liquor laws in Queensland.

In Queensland you must be over 18 years of age to enter a licensed venue or purchase alcohol. Queensland Police Service and Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation investigators can issue on-the-spot fines for:

• drinking in a public place - 18 years and over ($133)

• underage drinking or possession of liquor in a public place, even if someone is holding a drink for a friend who is over 18 ($400)

• being under 18 and found on licensed premises ($400)

• being under 18 and found drinking or just holding a drink for a friend on licensed premises ($400).

6.3 Proof of age/fake IDs

There are penalties for using fake IDs including:

• minor falsely represents self as over 18 ($400)

• individuals give evidence of age documents to another person ($667)

• individuals deface an ID to use it ($533)

• if individuals make and use a fake ID they may receive an on-the-spot fine ($266 for minors and $533 for adults)

Offenders could also be taken to court and fined.

6.4 ID confiscation

If a schoolie’s ID has been confiscated, they must contact the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation to see if their ID has been handed in.

Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation 7 Short Street, Southport (07) 5581 3390

The office will be open for ID collections on weekdays only, between 12 noon and 2pm.

SAFER SCHOOLIES INFORMATION GUIDE 4

7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT

TransLink bus and tram services will be in place to cater for demand and minimise impact on the local community.

To use TransLink services, schoolies must purchase a ticket or use a valid go card or go explore card.

Concession go card and go explore cards can be purchased from tram stations and local convenience stores.

For more specific public transport information visit translink.com.au

8. ROAD CLOSURES

Due to the temporary population increase in central Surfers Paradise during Schoolies, road closures are needed to ensure the safety of all pedestrians.

Intermittent closures will take place along The Esplanade (between Elkhorn Ave and Laycock St) on Friday 08/11, and from Monday 11/11 until Tuesday 26/11.

Full road closures (no vehicle access) as listed below:

9. FURTHER INFORMATION

More information is available on the Queensland Government’s Safer Schoolies website at saferschoolies.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68) which operates 24 hours per day.

Social media sites

• For school leavers – SchooliesGC on Facebook and Instagram

• For parents – SaferSchooliesforParents on Facebook

All of these platforms contain important information for schoolies and their parents/guardians about safe and responsible behaviour during Schoolies as well as information about the Safer Schoolies Response.

10. IMPORTANT CONTACTS

ISSUE/ENQUIRY ORGANISATION TELEPHONE

Emergency situations (legitimate emergencies only – fire, police or ambulance)

Emergency services hotline Triple Zero (000)

Safer Schoolies Hotline (general enquiries and feedback)

Queensland Government 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Policelink (calls to report non-urgent property crime and non-urgent incidents) You can also download the Policelink App to self-report crime.

Queensland Police Service 131 444

Police matters and assistance (non-emergency issues, public nuisance, disturbances from apartments)

Broadbeach Police Surfers Paradise Police

(07) 5581 2800 (07) 5657 6888

Red Frogs 24 hour hotline Red Frogs Australia 1300 557 123

Business rights and responsibilities or disputes with schoolies

Office of Fair Trading 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Medical/health enquiries Queensland Health 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

Media enquiries (Safer Schoolies GC Response)

Ian Buchanan (4am - 4pm) Wayne Hickson (4pm - 4am)

0407 242 156 0407 028 917

Media enquiries (state-wide Schoolies Response)

Media Unit, Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women

(07) 3828 2611 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

DATE TIME LOCATION

Monday 11/11 7pm to 3am The Esplanade (Soul roundabout to Hanlan St)

Saturday 16/11 to Friday 22/11

6pm to 2am The Esplanade (Soul roundabout to Trickett St)

Saturday 16/11 to Friday 22/11

8pm to 2am Orchid Ave Cavill Ave (from Surfers Paradise Blvd to Orchid Ave)

Saturday 23/11 2am to 9am The Esplanade (Soul roundabout to Trickett St)

Note: The information in this table is accurate at the time of printing but is subject to change without further notice.

SAFER SCHOOLIES INFORMATION GUIDE 6

View Ave

Cavill Ave

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Orc

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Surf

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Para

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Blv

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Hanlan St

Beach Rd

Trickett St

Alison St

Laycock St

Clifford St

Cavill Mall

Gold

Coa

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Fern

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SCHOOLIESHUB

Cypress Ave

WRISTbaND CENTRE

Elkhorn Ave

Local traffic only

Police

G:link tram station

Nightly road closure

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ELKHORN AVE (6pm—2am) Local residents access via Surfers Paradise Blvd.

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ORCHID AVE (8pm—2am*) Parking will be available to Orchid Ave guests and residents at Bruce Bishop Car Park on the corner of Ferny Ave and Beach Rd. *Under QPS discretion

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2

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ROAD CLOSED

NO VEHICLE ACCESS

THE ESPLANADE (6pm—2am) Access via The Esplanade from the north.

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CHANGED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS Temporary road closures will be implemented to maintain the safety of pedestrians throughout the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response. Please note the changes in your area.SATURDAY 16 — FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2019

Parking (24hrs)

SchooliesGC | SaferSchooliesforParents saferschoolies.qld.gov.au