Adelaide residents can expect to face extensive road closures and major delays on city streets if Australia’s bid to host the COP31 climate conference next year is successful.

9News understands a city exclusion zone may encompass Adelaide Train Station, the city tram line, and extend across large sections of the central business district, reaching Adelaide Oval and Pinky Flat if the city does host the event. 

Security measures are expected to surpass those implemented in Sydney during the 2007 APEC conference. 

“If Adelaide does indeed host COP it’s one of the biggest events in the world, it’s probably second to the Olympics,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.

“Of course there will be a big security requirement in the city. There will be major implications for the way the city moves.”

City businesses located within the proposed exclusion zone may be compelled to close for more than two weeks during the global conference. 

“If it’s a case of the business having to shut down, I assume the government will look after those businesses,” Nitin Jakhwal, from Bean Bar, said.

However, there are likely to be opportunities for those allowed to keep operating.

“30,000-40,000 people who will need to be catered for from their morning coffees to their afternoon lunches, we are excited that will be the case,” Jakhwal said.

Some $8 million of taxpayer funds have already been allocated in preparation for the potential event.