Calls for Strabroke Island tourist ban to be lifted in first steps to recovery

One of southeast Queensland’s most treasured tourist destinations has fallen into financial ruin after a COVID-19 lockdown banned visitors – including holiday home owners. Now there are calls for it to re-open.

PROPERTY owners, families and four-wheel drivers should be allowed to return to North Stradbroke Island according to the local State Government MP.

Member for Oodgeroo Mark Robinson says current bans on the island should be lifted from midnight Friday, May, 1 along with the other restrictions across the state.

The island locked out all visitors – including holiday home owners – on March 25.

The State Government-imposed ban was designed to protect vulnerable elderly and indigenous populations from COVID-19.

Subsequently, Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said some 300 people bent the rules by changing their address to the island in a bid to get through police blocks.

Since the lockdown, the island’s business community has faltered and there have been significant job losses.

Calls for North Stradbroke Island to be re-opened to visitors have started after the haven was close to stop the spread of Covid-19. Picture Instagram @mitch.dann

Dr Robinson said re-opening the island would be the first steps in a recovery plan for Straddie

“With the Premier easing coronavirus restrictions from this Friday, some Straddie island residents, local businesses and regular visitors are keen to see some restrictions lifted too, while still maintaining social distancing,” Dr Robinson said.

“Several owners anxious to return to vacant properties to perform routine maintenance have contacted me in recent weeks.

“It is in everyone’s interests for them to be able to check on their properties sooner rather than later.

“If people can picnic and visit parks, then why not on Straddie, and why not on secluded beaches where it can do no harm?”

Dr Robinson said opening up the island again to off-road four-wheel drive tourism from Friday would also start to bring much needed tourism dollars back into the local economy.

It comes as 850 Stradbroke Island workers deal with unemployment or a significant loss in work.

“There is no reason these tourists and the money they spend in local shops on their way through should be kept from the island,” Dr Robinson said.

He said a full recovery plan was needed from the State Government so that island residents, businesses and others could plan for the weeks and months ahead.

“A plan to get Straddie working again by mid-year or sooner will require a significant injection of funding for tourism destination and marketing,” Dr Robinson said.

“With the coronavirus health crisis in retreat in Queensland, it is time to relax some restrictions to ease the jobs crisis and economic crisis it created on North Stradbroke Island.”