Major event , The Act defines what constitutes a major event; this regulation simply prescribes the two named motor racing events as major events under section 12(1) of the Act. The effect is that the full suite of statutory powers, restrictions, and offences in the Act become operative within the event area during the event period. Major event organiser , For each event, V8 Supercars Australia Pty Ltd is named as the entity responsible for organising and controlling the event. That entity is conferred with statutory rights to control access, enforce restrictions, and direct authorised persons. Major event area , The precise geographic zone within which the Act’s provisions apply. The area is defined by reference to a map in either Schedule 1 (Townsville 500) or Schedule 2 (Gold Coast 500). The maps are incorporated by reference and set the boundaries for all prohibitions and powers. Major event period , The limited time window , from midday on one date to midday on another , during which the major event powers and restrictions are activated. For the Townsville 500 in 2025, this is 10 July to 14 July; for the Gold Coast 500, it is 23 October to 27 October. Temporary works , The regulation prescribes two separate periods before and after the event period during which temporary works (such as erecting barriers, grandstands, or broadcast infrastructure) may be carried out under section 16 of the Act. These periods are significantly longer than the event period itself: for the Townsville 500, from 16 June to 10 July (pre-event) and 14 July to 2 August (post-event); for the Gold Coast 500, from 8 September to 23 October and 27 October to 22 November. Prescribed prohibited conduct , Section 16 of the regulation adds the display of posters on property inside the major event area (including on the outside of buildings) to the list of prohibited conduct under section 20(6)(h) of the Act. The prohibition is subject to a narrow carve-out for posters displayed before the major event period in the ordinary course of a person’s activities. Authorised persons , Section 17 prescribes crowd controllers under the Security Providers Act 1993 as persons who may be appointed as authorised persons under section 56 of the Act. Section 18 limits the powers of non-police authorised persons: they cannot exercise the powers in sections 25 (direction to leave), 54 (seize property), 63 (require name and address), and 65 (use force). Road ceasing to be a road , Under section 19 of the regulation, for section 80(1)(b) of the Act, each road shown in the event area on the schedule maps ceases to be a road for the event period. This means the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1994 and similar road laws no longer apply to those streets during the period, effectively allowing the event organiser to control vehicular and pedestrian movement. Building certifier obligations , Section 20 imposes a duty on building certifiers engaged to assess building work for a compliance certificate under the Act: they must consult Queensland Fire and Rescue and, where a special fire service or fire-related performance solution is proposed, obtain and consider a written report from that authority.

The regulation directly binds and affects several distinct parties. V8 Supercars Australia Pty Ltd, as the named major event organiser for both events, is the primary beneficiary of the regulation’s powers. It obtains the right to control access, restrict activities, and require compliance within the event areas. It also bears the responsibility of ensuring that the event is conducted in accordance with the Act, including appointing authorised persons and complying with conditions. Residents, business owners, and landowners whose properties fall within the major event area are most directly affected. They face restrictions on what they can do on their own land during the event period: for example, they cannot display posters (section 16) unless the poster was pre-existing and part of ordinary activities. They may be directed to leave the area by authorised persons, and their use of roads and public spaces is curtailed. For those with properties in the Gold Coast 500 or Townsville 500 event zones, the event period is a short but highly restrictive window. Businesses that normally rely on street access or advertising signage may find themselves unable to operate normally. Crowd controllers registered under the Security Providers Act 1993 may be appointed as authorised persons. They gain certain statutory powers (though limited under section 18) to direct people, but also face potential liability if they exceed those limits. Building certifiers who are engaged to assess building work for a compliance certificate under the Act must comply with the additional procedural requirements in section 20. This imposes consultation costs and potential delays if Queensland Fire and Rescue is slow to respond. Queensland Fire and Rescue is drawn into the pre-event process under section 20, receiving consultation requests and producing reports on special fire services and fire-related performance solutions. Police officers retain full powers (unlike non-police authorised persons) and may be called upon to enforce the Act. The general public attending the event or passing through the area are subject to the Act’s restrictions, including the prohibition on unauthorised signage, interference with event infrastructure, and failure to comply with directions. Contractors engaged in temporary works (for example, erecting grandstands, fencing, or broadcasting equipment) must complete their work within the prescribed temporary works periods. Failure to do so could result in works being prohibited during the event period or subject to enforcement. Local government authorities in Townsville and the Gold Coast will need to coordinate with the organiser regarding road closures, building approvals, and compliance with local laws that may be displaced by the regulation.

The regulation creates or triggers a number of duties and rights by prescribing the events under the Act. V8 Supercars Australia has the right to exclude or remove persons from the major event area, to control the use of the area, and to enforce compliance with the Act. It also has the right to have crowd controllers appointed as authorised persons. The organiser’s duties are implicit: it must ensure that the event does not cause unlawful harm, that authorised persons do not exceed their powers, and that the event area is restored after the temporary works periods. Landholders and occupants inside the event area have a duty not to display posters during the event period unless the poster was displayed before the period and is part of their ordinary activities. That ordinary activities exemption is fact-dependent: a shop displaying a sale poster in its window may qualify; a property owner renting out billboard space likely does not, unless the poster predates the event period and is part of ongoing commercial activity. Property owners have the right to continue pre-existing ordinary activities, but the burden of proving the exemption falls on the person asserting it. Road users lose the right to use roads within the event area as public roads during the event period. Section 19 provides that those roads “cease to be a road”, which means road rules, parking restrictions, and traffic laws do not apply. In practical terms, the organiser can block or divert traffic, park vehicles on the road, and use the road surface for event infrastructure. Vehicle owners have no right to leave cars parked on those roads during the event period. Crowd controllers appointed as authorised persons have the right to exercise the powers conferred by the Act, but subject to the limitation in section 18: they cannot exercise the powers in sections 25, 54, 63, and 65 of the Act. This means they cannot use force (section 65), seize property (section 54), require a person’s name and address (section 63), or direct a person to leave the event area (section 25). Those powers are reserved for police officers. Crowd controllers can, however, exercise other powers such as requesting compliance and observing conduct. Building certifiers have a duty under section 20 to consult Queensland Fire and Rescue about any special fire service or fire-related performance solution before issuing a compliance certificate for building work under section 78(3) of the Act. If a special fire service or solution is proposed, the certifier must obtain and consider a written report from Queensland Fire and Rescue. This obligation adds time and cost to the certification process. Police officers retain full powers under the Act, unrestricted by section 18. They can use force, seize property, demand identification, and direct people to leave. Contractors performing temporary works have the right to carry out works only during the prescribed periods. The pre-event period begins as early as 8 September for the Gold Coast 500 and 16 June for the Townsville 500. The post-event period ends on 22 November for Gold Coast and 2 August for Townsville. Works outside these periods are not authorised by this regulation and would require separate approvals.

The regulation itself does not create its own penalty provisions. Instead, section 15 prescribes that a list of sections from the Act apply to motor racing events. These include sections 18(1)-(4), (6), (7) and (9), 19-28, 31, 36, 40, and Part 6 of the Act. The Act is not reproduced in this regulation, but those sections likely contain offence provisions. For example, section 20 of the Act (as referenced in section 16 of the regulation) prohibits certain conduct; the penalty for contravening that prohibition would be specified in the Act. Similarly, section 25 (direction to leave), section 54 (seize property), and sections 63 and 65 (identification and force) are all referenced in the limitation on non-police authorised persons. These provisions almost certainly carry penalties for non-compliance. Enforcement is carried out by authorised persons and police. Section 17 prescribes crowd controllers as persons who may be appointed as authorised persons under section 56 of the Act. The regulation does not require appointment to be in writing or published, but the Act likely does. Section 18 explicitly limits the powers of non-police authorised persons: a crowd controller cannot exercise the powers in sections 25, 54, 63, and 65. If a crowd controller purports to exercise those powers, they may be acting unlawfully and expose the organiser to liability. Police officers are not subject to this limitation and can exercise full enforcement powers. The interaction with Part 6 of the Act (applied by section 15(b)) suggests that evidentiary presumptions, procedures for enforcement, and possibly penalty provisions in that Part are operative. Specific penalties are not stated in the regulation; they must be sought in the Act itself. However, given that the Act governs major events, penalties are likely significant (for example, fines or imprisonment) to deter interference with the event. The practical enforcement burden falls on the event organiser through its appointed crowd controllers. Because crowd controllers have limited powers, the organiser may need to rely on police attendance for serious breaches. This creates an enforcement gap: crowd controllers can observe and request compliance, but cannot physically remove a non-compliant person or seize items. Any prosecution for offences would be brought by police or the relevant authority. For the prohibited act under section 16 (displaying a poster), enforcement may be straightforward if the poster is in plain view. The exemption for pre-existing posters displayed in ordinary activities will require judgment; the person displaying the poster bears the onus of proving the exemption. Failure to comply with a direction from an authorised person (within the scope of their powers) could be an offence under the Act.

The regulation interacts with several other laws, both explicitly and by necessary implication. The Major Events Act 2014 (Qld) is the primary statute. This regulation is made under that Act and does not exist independently. All powers, obligations, penalties, and definitions come from the Act. This regulation merely turns on specific switches for two events. Building Act 1975 (Qld) , Section 20 of the regulation imports definitions from the Building Act: “building certifier” (section 8), “building work” (section 5), “fire-related performance solution”, “performance requirements”, and “special fire service” (Schedule 2). The process for assessing building work under the regulation must comply with the Building Act definitions. The regulation imposes an additional step (consultation with Queensland Fire and Rescue) beyond what the Building Act may ordinarily require. This creates a potential overlap: if the Building Act already requires fire authority input for certain building work, the regulation duplicates or supplements that requirement. Security Providers Act 1993 (Qld) , Section 17 prescribes “crowd controllers under the Security Providers Act 1993” as persons who may be appointed as authorised persons. This means only individuals holding the appropriate crowd controller licence under that Act are eligible. The regulation does not specify whether the appointment must be in writing or any other formality; that is left to the Act. Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1994 (Qld) and similar road laws , Section 19 provides that each road in the event area “ceases to be a road” for the event period. This has the effect of suspending road-related legislation for those streets. The Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1994, local government traffic orders, parking regulations, and possibly the Criminal Code provisions relating to roads (e.g., dangerous driving) may not apply during the event period. However, this provision only affects the physical road surface and adjacent areas that are part of the road; private property within the event area remains subject to property law and other laws not displaced. Local government planning and local laws , Temporary works carried out during the prescribed periods under sections 7 and 13 are authorised by section 16 of the Act (applied through this regulation). This likely overrides or suspends local government requirements for building approvals, permits for temporary structures, and noise restrictions. The regulation does not explicitly state that it prevails over local laws, but the Act’s purpose is to facilitate major events by removing red tape. Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (Qld) , Section 20 requires consultation with Queensland Fire and Rescue (a service within the Department of Fire and Emergency Services). That service’s functions and powers under its own Act are not displaced, but the regulation compels the building certifier to seek its input. Criminal law , The regulation does not override general criminal law; offences such as assault, theft, or property damage still apply within the event area. However, enforcement may be complicated because the roads are not “roads” during the event period, potentially affecting jurisdictional boundaries.

The regulation was originally made in 2015 and has been amended numerous times since. The amendment history, recorded in the note at the end of each section, shows a pattern of annual rollovers to update the event years, dates, official titles, and sometimes the event area maps. The original regulation in 2015 appears to have prescribed both the Gold Coast 600 (now Gold Coast 500) and the Townsville 500. Over time, the Gold Coast event changed from “600” to “500” and the regulation was amended to rename it. In 2022, the Gold Coast 600 definition was omitted and replaced with Gold Coast 500. The Townsville 500 was originally prescribed from 2015 onward, with annual amendments to update the year. Section 3 for the Townsville 500 was amended each year from 2016 through 2025, with a substitution in 2020 and again in 2021, likely reflecting changes to the event schedule or organiser. Section 6 (major event period) has been amended almost every year for both events, reflecting shifting dates. Section 8 (official title) similarly updated annually, with the 2025 title being “2025 NTI Townsville 500”. For the Gold Coast 500, the official title for 2025 is “2025 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500”, reflecting commercial sponsorship. The temporary works periods in sections 7 and 13 have also been amended annually to shift the start and end dates. Section 20 (building certifier obligations) was inserted in 2016 and amended in 2017, 2023, and 2024 (with a reference update to the Building Act). The amendment history reveals that the regulation is not static; it is a living instrument that requires annual maintenance. Each year, the responsible minister must make amendments by regulation to ensure the instrument reflects the actual event schedule. Failure to amend in time could mean the regulation refers to an expired event period or a past year, rendering it inoperative. Practitioners should always check the latest version and not rely on a year-old print. The frequent amendments also create uncertainty for businesses planning around the event, as dates and area maps may change from year to year.

The source text contains no reference to any litigation, court cases, or tribunal decisions involving this regulation. No cases are cited in the body of the regulation, the definitions, or the endnotes. It is possible that no reported litigation has arisen from this specific regulation. However, the underlying Major Events Act 2014 may have been litigated, but that is not within the scope of this regulation. The absence of litigation may indicate that the regulation operates largely without controversy, possibly because the event organiser compensates affected parties privately, or because the event period is short and the restrictions are accepted. Alternatively, disputes may be resolved informally without reaching court. A prudent practitioner should search Queensland case law for decisions under the Major Events Act generally, as interpretations of the Act could affect the operation of this regulation. Cases on the scope of “major event area” or on the validity of authorised person appointments could be relevant. The limitation on non-police authorised persons in section 18 might be a source of future litigation if a crowd controller exceeds their powers or if a person is injured during enforcement. A civil claim for false imprisonment or assault could arise if a crowd controller uses force or attempts to detain someone, given that section 18 denies them the power to use force (section 65) and the power to require name and address (section 63). Similarly, the poster display prohibition in section 16 could be challenged if a person claims their speech rights were infringed, but the source provides no case law. Property owners may also dispute the boundaries of the event area if the maps are unclear. The regulation relies on maps in schedules; if those maps are not sufficiently precise, litigation over whether a particular property falls within the event area could occur. There is also potential for disputes about whether a poster was “displayed before the major event period” and in “the course of the person’s ordinary activities”. These are factual questions that could be litigated.

Several provisions in the regulation contain traps for the unwary. The poster display prohibition has a narrow exemption. Section 16(2) exempts only posters that were both displayed before the major event period and displayed in the course of the person’s ordinary activities. A business that erects a new promotional banner during the temporary works period but before the event period may think it is safe, but if that banner qualifies as a “poster” (defined in the Act, not in this regulation) and the business is inside the event area, it could be caught. The exemption requires the poster to be displayed in the course of ordinary activities: a real estate agent’s “for sale” sign on a property may count; a commercial billboard advertising a product unrelated to the property may not. The burden of showing the exemption applies falls on the person displaying the poster. Roads ceasing to be roads , Section 19 provides that each road in the event area ceases to be a road for the event period. This has serious implications. If the road is not a road, then road traffic laws do not apply. That means drink-driving laws, speed limits, parking rules, and licensing requirements may not be enforceable on those streets during that period. However, it also means that a person walking on the road is not a pedestrian under road law, and a vehicle driver may not be subject to the usual traffic offences. This creates a regulatory gap. Event organisers should ensure they have adequate public liability insurance and that their own rules (e.g., no alcohol in certain zones) are contractual or enforced under the Act, not under road law. Limited powers of non-police authorised persons , A person dealing with a crowd controller inside the event area should be aware that the crowd controller cannot use force, seize property, demand identification, or order them to leave (section 18). If a crowd controller attempts to do any of these things, they may be acting outside their authority. The person being directed may have grounds to refuse. However, a police officer on the scene has full powers. This layered authority creates confusion: a person might comply with a crowd controller’s demand not knowing it is unenforceable. Building certifier consultation , Section 20 requires a building certifier to consult Queensland Fire and Rescue and obtain a report if a special fire service or fire-related performance solution is involved. This is an additional step beyond normal building certification. The section does not specify a timeframe for the consultation or report. Queensland Fire and Rescue may take weeks or months to respond, potentially delaying the certification and the temporary works. Certifiers should factor this into project schedules. The section also applies only where the certifier is engaged to give a compliance certificate under section 78(3) of the Act, not for all building work related to the event. Temporary works periods are strict , Sections 7 and 13 set out specific date and time windows for carrying out temporary works. The windows are generous (e.g., 8 September to 23 October for the Gold Coast 500), but any works after the post-event deadline (midnight on 22 November 2025 for Gold Coast) would not be authorised by this regulation. A contractor who falls behind schedule and leaves infrastructure in place after the deadline could be in breach of the Act or local laws. The regulation does not provide for extensions. Maps are determinative , The major event area is defined by maps in schedules. These maps are not reproduced in the legislative text; they are separate documents. A person assessing whether their property falls within the event area must consult the actual map. Ambiguities in the map (scale, boundaries, alignment with cadastral boundaries) could lead to disputes. The regulation does not provide a mechanism for challenging the boundaries.

Compliance obligations under this regulation fall on different actors. For the major event organiser (V8 Supercars Australia): Ensure that all persons appointed as authorised persons under section 56 of the Act meet the requirements of this regulation. Specifically, crowd controllers must be licensed under the Security Providers Act 1993. Provide clear written instructions to crowd controllers about the limits of their powers under section 18. Do not allow non-police authorised persons to exercise the powers in sections 25, 54, 63, or 65. If those powers are needed, call for police assistance. Ensure that the event area maps in schedules 1 and 2 correspond to the actual physical area being controlled. Arrange for temporary works contractors to complete their work strictly within the prescribed periods in sections 7 and 13. If building work is required that involves a special fire service or fire-related performance solution, ensure the building certifier engaged for the compliance certificate is aware of their obligations under section 20. For property owners and businesses within the event area: Identify whether your property falls within the major event area by examining the relevant schedule map. If it does, remove any posters that were not displayed before the major event period or that are not part of your ordinary activities, before the event period begins. For posters that were displayed before the period, ensure you can evidence the display date and the ordinary course of business (e.g., photographs dated before the event period, a log of advertising). Do not erect new posters during the event period, even if they are temporary. If your property includes a road, be aware that the road will cease to be a road during the event period; you may need to make alternative arrangements for vehicle access and parking. For building certifiers: Before giving a compliance certificate under section 78(3) of the Act for building work, determine whether the work involves a “special fire service” or a “fire-related performance solution” as defined in the Building Act. If it does, consult Queensland Fire and Rescue about the work. If a special fire service or solution is proposed, obtain a written report from Queensland Fire and Rescue on its suitability, and consider that report before issuing the certificate. Document all communications and the report. For crowd controllers: Ensure your appointment as an authorised person is properly made by the major event organiser. Know that your powers are limited: you cannot use force (section 65 of the Act), seize property (section 54), require a name and address (section 63), or direct a person to leave the event area (section 25). You may only exercise the other powers available under the applied sections of the Act (e.g., observing, requesting compliance). Do not attempt to escalate enforcement beyond your authority. If you need to use force or require removal, contact police. For the public attending the event: Do not display any posters inside the event area during the event period. Follow the instructions of authorised persons and police. If a crowd controller asks you to do something they are not authorised to demand (e.g., provide identification or hand over property), you may politely refuse and ask for a police officer. Be aware that roads in the event area are not subject to normal traffic laws; drive and park only as directed by event signage and staff. General compliance risk: Because the regulation is updated annually, always check that you are referencing the correct version for the current year. Relying on a version from a previous year with different dates, maps, or official titles will lead to non-compliance.