Redcliffe Market reopening draws thousands of people leaving locals furious

Extraordinary photos reveal thousands of people swarming seaside markets and boat ramps on the weekend – leaving little room for social distancing. Market organisers will meet with police today.

Thousands attended the Redcliffe Markets on Sunday, which reopened after closing during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not leave much room for people to practice social distancing.

The market operator Goodwill Projects announced two weeks ago it would reopen on Mother’s Day.

This announcement left many Redcliffe residents fearful of a second COVID-19 outbreak.

These fears were shared once again, via social media, on Sunday.

It followed thousands of people visiting the region, north of Brisbane, on the Labour Day long weekend.

The Redcliffe Market was packed on Sunday. It was the first time the market had been open in five weeks due to COVID-19. Picture: Supplied

“One of the reasons I didn’t go there. People are being so complacent everywhere at the moment, it’s very disappointing and this behaviour could set us back months,” Chris Young wrote on the Redcliffe Peninsula Community Facebook page.

Jenny L Oxley wrote: “Is total bulls**t, all the hard work being undone”.

Lorraine Hoare was one of many to question how the markets were allowed yet sport and schools were still closed.

“Certainly very crowded and no chance to social distance. I walked and did not see any police presence. Kids, dogs and people everywhere but we can’t open schools as yet! Just doesn’t add up,” she wrote.

Redcliffe Markets were busy on the weekend. Photo supplied.

Acting Senior Sergeant officer-in-charge of Redcliffe Police Station Aaron Firth said extra police had been rostered on to patrol the market on Sunday.

He said there was big crowds but a plan was in place to deal with them.

“We did have police tasked to conduct patrols and the same again for this upcoming weekend,” Acting Sen Sgt Firth said.

“The event was well attended as it was a good day and people took the opportunity to get outside.”

Acting Sen Sgt Firth said the overwhelming majority of people did make an effort to adhere to the 1.5m social distancing rules.

“People were generally trying to do the right thing, no one was deliberately trying to breach any directions but there are always improvements that can be made,” he said.

Market operators had several measures in place to encourage people to practice social distancing including tape at the busier stalls for people lining up, signs reminding people of the rules, hand sanitising stations, spacing out stalls where possible and pre-bagging products.

Goodwill Project’s Mark Powers said the markets were busier than an average day.

“Mother’s Day is traditionally a slower day for markets because a lot of families do things together but because of the changes in the last few months a lot of people took the opportunity to get together,” Mr Powers said.

Mr Powers said he thought the day went really well and that most people were very responsible.

“Inside the market social distancing was really well observed,” he said.

Mr Powers said they did plan to meet with police later today to discuss further measures they can put in place – such as spacing out the vendors even more.

He said the market is 9 metres wide and 1km long.

“We will be looking at new measures to make it even safer,” Mr Powers said.

The parking area beside the Moreton Boat Club at Scarborough was at capacity on Saturday as COVID-19 restrictions ease. Photo Graham Davis

The markets were not the only attraction on the Peninsula over the weekend.

Boat ramps and car parks around the region, particularly Scarborough, were at capacity on Saturday.

Acting Sen Sgt Firth said there was a noticeable increase in the number of people out on the water.

He reminded boat users that Moreton Island was still “an exclusion zone”.

“Boats are not allowed within 100 metres of the Island, they cannot got there and pull up on the Island,” he said.

Fishers dropping a line on the reef off Scarborough Point at the weekend. Photo Graham Davis

“Police will be patrolling this weekend and will pin anybody (with a fine) who is deliberately disobeying instructions.”

With even more restrictions set to ease this weekend Acting Sen Sgt Firth said police would once again be on patrol.

“Overall the public has been very supportive and compliant” he said.