Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce‘s Martin Hall pleas for relaxed business restrictions ignored by Qld Government

Small and medium businesses operators on the Gold Coast have hit out at Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, saying she is “ignoring” their plight despite Queensland going almost 30 days with no COVID-19 community transmission.

BUSINESSES battling to axe crippling COVID-19 clamps – as fears loom Queensland’s border will be largely shut until Christmas - say the State Government is snubbing them.

It comes as Queensland again recorded zero cases yesterday, nearing almost 30 days without any community transmission and with just seven active cases remaining statewide.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned border closures could be in place until “around Christmas time” if there is ongoing virus community transmission interstate.

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said it was unclear when the Palaszczuk Government seemingly switched focus from flattening the curve and living with it to eradication.

He wants Queensland opened for Queenslanders to avoid more businesses being forced to close as the tourism industry remains in tatters. Mr Hall wants the government to loosen restrictions around patron limits, dancing and mandatory seating while eating and drinking.

Mr Hall said his chamber and CCIQ (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland) have been trying to get the attention of the government, but felt they were being stonewalled.

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce President Martin Hall. Picture: Richard Gosling

“We’ve had nothing at a chamber level and from meetings with CCIQ I understand they’re still asking to be in the room, around the table, for those conversations,” he said.

“We’re small and medium business. We can help, we have the voices on the ground and you don’t get that from the bureaucracy. They need to be a bit more welcoming.

“You can’t help but think this has something to do with the election looming and the nature of politics on the Gold Coast. I really hope our voice isn’t being lost deliberately.

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“It’s real lives we’re talking about – there’s 60,000 small businesses on the Gold Coast and it’s 95 per cent of trade. It’s nuts. We need support, we can’t just be ignored.”

Mr Hall said businesses needed firm plans and certainty from the government.

“With the border closure being here for a while, whether it’s a hard closure or this osmotic thing, we need to know. We need to know what the plan is and what support there is going to be. Reducing the square metreage rules is a big thing,” he said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

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“If the borders stay closed until Christmas that would be terrible. We’re going to lose two more holiday cycles.

“That could be the death knell for a lot of businesses hanging on with JobKeeper.”

Venues above 200 sqm can have one patron per four sqm and those under 200 sqm can have one patron per two sqm, but with a cap of 50.

Coast business identity Scott Imlach said the hospitality industry “is being hit the hardest”.

“The State Government says they want social distancing, but you can go to some places in the community and not see it monitored, but our venues are constantly getting checked,” he said.

The owner of Hideaway Bar & Kitchen, Bine and Nightjar, who recently opened new Nobby Beach venture The Backyard Café, said the restriction causing the most problems in his venues had been mandatory seating required for patrons.

Gold Coast hospitality identity Scott Imlach. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It’s a joke. It’s a nightmare for staff to make sure everyone is staying seated,” he said.

“Customers want to be able to move around and staff want to be able to do their work without keeping an eye on if everyone is sitting down. It’s hard on everyone.”

Operators including Surfers Paradise Beach Cafe’s Arthur De Snoo and Artesian Hospitality’s Matt Keegan – who has nightspots The Bedroom, Havana, Sin City and White Rhino – have already thrown their support behind the push to ease restrictions.

Mayor Tom Tate has not backed the push to ease restrictions.

“As I’ve said before I will be guided by the latest health advice from (Queensland Chief Health Officer) Dr Young,” he said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“We need to keep COVID-19 out of our city and our reputation as a safe city – with no fatalities – is vital right now.

“I will continue to lobby State and Federal Governments to ensure support for business keeps coming. I know it’s tough out there and I urge Gold Coasters and Queenslanders, who are able, to open their wallets and support local businesses.”

Tourism and business sources say there are high-level overtures being made and a potential meeting to directly address operator concerns around ongoing restrictions with State Government.

Ms Palaszczuk and Tourism Minister Kate Jones were asked if restrictions should ease as borders largely remain closed and the state has few active cases.

A government spokesman said: “The Premier and the Palaszczuk Government will continue to be guided by the expert medical advice of the Chief Health Officer.

“Because Queensland is continuing to manage the health response, the Palaszczuk Government has already started delivering Queensland’s plan for economic recovery,” he said.

“That plan will continue to evolve as the situation evolves and we continue to consult with stakeholders.”

The government plan included a $1 billion Jobs Support Loan facility and $1 billion Industry Support Package for large and regionally significant businesses, the spokesman said.

It also includes up to $950 million in payroll tax relief and deferrals for eligible businesses, tax exemption for JobKeeper payments and a $50 billion infrastructure guarantee for vital infrastructure.