Sunshine Coast Covid-19: Three Redcliffe men, one woman fined $5000 for ignoring lockdown rules

Police warn RBT-style interceptions would be next as a young group is fined for travelling to the Sunshine Coast to “drink and smoke” despite strict lockdown rules being in place.

A group of young Brisbane residents who ignored the lockdown and came to the Sunshine Coast to “drink and smoke” have been slapped with collective fines of more than $5000 for breaching Covid-19 regulations.

The revelation comes as District Superintendent Craig Hawkins issued a stern warning, saying RBT-style interceptions would be the next enforcement action to ensure people complied with lockdown rules.

Police have been on high alert for people potentially breaching Covid-19 requirements in a bid to prevent an eight-day lockdown to extend further.

Supt Hawkins said eight infringement notices were issued across the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday and seven on Monday, including two arrests.

“The most concerning thing overnight was three men and a woman, all in their 20s, who came to the Coast from Redcliffe just to meet up and socialise on the beach,” Supt Hawkins said.

“They were just sitting around drinking and smoking at Caloundra about 8pm last night.”

Supt Hawkins said the four people were each issued a $1378 fine for failing to comply with Covid-19 directions.

He said police issued two other fines for people contravening requirements while travelling and one for failure to provide details.

A $206 fine was also issued over mask noncompliance.

“These type of offences are reckless and selfish and only likely to spread the virus, which means more time in lockdown,” he said.

“We are now in the process of considering RBT-style intercepts to monitor movements to ensure people comply.

“We could do them anywhere.”