You don't need to be a genius to work out something big is happening in Brisbane.
Chain-link fences hem the streets, police squads regularly glide by on bicycles and the low whoop-whoop monotone sound of choppers can be heard above.
Authorities have promised residents the G20 forum won't disrupt their lives too much.
But the first major protest caused gridlock in the CBD on Monday - a taxi the few hundred metres from Queen St Mall to South Bank took 15 minutes.
"This is pretty bad, but I'd be happy to sit in this sort of traffic all weekend as long as I've got a customer," a cabbie, who did not want to be named, told AAP.
Deputy Police Commissioner Ross Barnett insisted the protest held by the Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy group was managed well.
He said another 25 groups had also formally organised peaceful protests, but he was well aware G20 had a history of attracting spontaneous, violent demonstrations.
"We're certainly prepared for that. We don't want it to happen. We hope it doesn't happen," Mr Barnett told reporters.
"But we have put the appropriate planning and structures in place should it happen."
Involved in that planning are police commanders from every Australian state, the Northern Territory, New Zealand and the Federal Police.
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart welcomed the experienced group on Monday, confident they would ensure the safety of the visitors and the Brisbane community.
"I don't think the community is going to be disappointed," he said.
Mr Barnett said seven hotels where world leaders were planning to stay had been secured by authorities.
They include the Royal on the Park, the Treasury, the Pullman, The George Williams Hotel, the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane and The Intercontinental on the Gold Coast.
Street closures began on Monday as well, with more streets to close as the week goes on, and Queensland police snipers were positioned on rooftops throughout South Bank.
Mr Stewart wouldn't rule out foreign security outfits requesting permission to be armed at the forum.
"Often these come at the very last minute," he said.
Minister Assisting the Queensland Premier Deb Frecklington said despite the security measures, she believed Brisbane would not turn into a ghost down.
When asked if the forum would be just a "flash in the pan" for four days, Ms Frecklington disagreed.
"We are looking at encouraging investment from all these countries, so we're not just sitting back and waiting for people to talk to us, we're showcasing Queensland."
But over the next two days at least, any foreign visitors may be distracted by what's going on above, as military jets practice patrolling the skies for suspicious aircraft.
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