FORTRESS Brisbane has gone into near-total lockdown today as world leaders continue to stream in for the G20.

Locals say the CBD and Southbank resemble a ghost town. Some major department stores and other shops will open their doors today, but many will operate on reduced hours.

The streets are all but empty, with pedestrians making way for military, police and emergency services personnel.

Convoys of armoured vehicles roam the streets and Blackhawk helicopters wait on standby.

World leaders will continue to arrive throughout the day.

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Lord Mayor Graeme Quirk says the temporary impact on business will be minor compared with the long-term boost to the economy.

“This event will help to get us better known, it will mean more tourism numbers for hotels, retail stores and restaurants for years to come. That’s what we’ve got to look at this event as,” he told Ten News.

According to Fortitude Valley Chamber of Commerce president Robin Maini, Minnesota’s GDP increased by 30 per cent in the two years after it hosted the event.

This is what Brisbane looks like:

Can't shake the feeling we're being watched at #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/WifdyuyTlq — Kirsty Elliott (@kirsty_elltt) November 14, 2014

Obama's motorcade in Myanmar just now. Soon the drivers will deploy wings and propellers to fly him to #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/y8mmC7XJXt — Sean Parnell (@seanparnell) November 14, 2014

Beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see? #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/TeCHynbQxz — Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) November 11, 2014

Soaking up Sth Bank. About to go LIVE from Deep inside #g20brisbane RED ZONE @NewsTalk4BC co-pilot= g20 guru @FemInt pic.twitter.com/EPspDU5MRQ — Ben Davis (@BenDavis74) November 14, 2014

City Hall and the thin blue line. Overheard: "There's more police than people." #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/iaW6nYtUlP — Sarah Elks (@sarahelks) November 14, 2014

One man protest at Brisbane City Hall #G20 pic.twitter.com/0wx4gFe01V — Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) November 14, 2014

Police bomb squad techs are checking EVERY vehicle entering into the Brisbane secure zone for #G20 pic.twitter.com/o7Gi5ddKur — Tyron Butson (@tbutson) November 14, 2014

Irony. 6,000 cops in town. Only unlawful act - kid climbing street art & not a cop around #G20Brisbane #auspol pic.twitter.com/FWnWHhKO2t — BWGraham (@ElCanguro76) November 14, 2014

Walking around Southbank, one could be forgiven for thinking the zombie apocalypse had begun. #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/DKolcZtjNL — Marcellus Wallace (@bdrinkwater) November 14, 2014

A lot of people around looking like this #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/HpyDcZ0rt1 — Victoria Craw (@victoria_craw) November 14, 2014

UQ campus completely deserted after becoming part of the declared zone due to President's speech tomorrow #uqG20 #G20 pic.twitter.com/COygLgxgAB — Andrew Thorpe (@AndrewThorpe) November 13, 2014

MT @MichaelJames_TV: A vehicle inspection point has now been erected on Hope St in South Brisbane #G20 @612brisbane pic.twitter.com/hUYBQxYpgo — ABC Radio Brisbane (@612brisbane) November 13, 2014

The Victoria Bridge, city to Melbourne Street in South Brisbane, closed and heavily guarded. #G20 #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/jueCdiuWkJ — Paul Donoughue (@paulwdonoughue) November 13, 2014

The peak hour view up Anne St this morning from Fortitude Valley. #G20 @612brisbane pic.twitter.com/Pb5hczNAVU — Michael James (@MichaelJames_TV) November 13, 2014

Just a riot squad car waiting at the traffic lights. #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/AZ0JxVndyz — Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) November 13, 2014

A fantastic day for the world leaders to come to #brisbane #g20brisbane pic.twitter.com/mRTjZz1tiZ — TheSourceNews (@TheSourceNews1) November 13, 2014

I may just catch my first private train this morning. Station is deserted #g20 #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/ZVNx9VNFha — Belinda Seeney (@BelindaSeeney) November 13, 2014

frank.chung@news.com.au