Travellers banned from Stradbroke Island to protect from virus
Police will be brought in to enforce a travel ban on North Stradbroke Island as non-essential holiday travellers are locked out.
Redlands Coast
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A LOCKOUT has been placed on Stradbroke Island as authorities move to protect residents from the spread of COVID-19.
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Redland City Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and Redland City Council this afternoon advised the State Government has now placed a ban on all non-essential and holiday travel to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerrbah).
The ruling will take force from midnight tonight.
Redland City Council Mayor, Cr Karen Williams said tourism operators had started contacting customers to ask them to reschedule their travel plans.
“Unfortunately the prohibition of non-essential travel doesn’t extend to our other islands, as requested by the Local Disaster Management Group,” Cr Williams said.
“We will keep working to show the vulnerabilities of these ageing communities and why they should be included.
“Not including our other islands sends a mixed message and creates confusion at a time when the community needs certainty and decisive action.”
The Southern Moreton Bay islands include North Stradbroke, Coochiemudlo, Lamb, Russell, Macleay and Karragarra islands.
North Stradbroke Island, which has 2000 residents, usually receives an influx of 20,000 to 30,000 visitors over the Easter period.
It has one of the oldest populations in Southeast Queensland, with about a quarter of residents over 65, and is believed to be the largest indigenous community in Southeast Queensland.
The announcement comes after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland camping grounds would be closed down.
Queensland Police will be enforcing the ban and requesting identification, such as a driver’s license, ensuring only permanent island residents and people engaging in essential travel are permitted onto the island.
EASTER LOCKDOWN FOR BAY ISLANDS
HOW CORONAVIRUS IS AFFECTING BAY ISLANDS
Essential travel would include travelling for work, medical reasons, emergencies, education, compassionate reasons and to deliver essential services and supplies, such as groceries.
Non-essential travel includes recreation, tourism, camping, staying in a holiday home even if you own it, and socialising with friends and family.
In line with Australian and State government border closures, anyone travelling to North Stradbroke Island from interstate or overseas will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Cr Williams said the ban meant people who had planned to spend their Easter holidays on the island could no longer do so and should contact their tourism or accommodation provider.
She said the move was put in place to protect the island’s large vulnerable population which included First Nations People and an ageing community.
Cr Williams said there was no official ban on travel to other Redlands Coast islands but urged people to reconsider their need for non-essential travel to Coochiemudlo (Goochie mudlo), Russell (Canaipa), Lamb (Ngudooroo), Macleay (Jencoomercha) and Karragarra islands, which are all in Southern Moreton Bay.
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