Coronavirus Gold Coast: Council closes beaches and carparks ahead of Easter

More than 6000 oceanside carparks are now off-limits as the Gold Coast endures its first day of closed beaches.

MORE than 6000 oceanside carparks will be off-limits to drivers from today as the Gold Coast wakes to its first day of closed beaches.

Barriers will be put up to prevent cars parking right next to the beach in the latest measure to be introduced to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The first carparks were closed off yesterday with the rest to be progressively blocked throughout the rest of the week.

Don’t even think about doing this today. Picture Glenn Hampson

CONCRETE BARRIERS INSTALLED AT BORDER

Residents and businesses bordering the beaches are furious but Mayor Tom Tate said it sent a clear message to stay away from the beaches.

“We will shut as many as we can by Easter so the message is out there: There is no point coming to the beaches, you will have nowhere to park,” he said.

“This is further enhancement of our COVID-19 containment.”

Drivers who defy the move face fines of more than $130.

If this is found to be persistent, the former carparking spaces will be redesignated “no standing” zones, which carry a larger fine if caught.

Cr Tate clarified that activities such as sunbathing and playing any kind of sport would be banned on beaches, while surfing and exercise such as walking or running would still be allowed.

Beaches at The Spit, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta were closed to the public last night, with signage going up in coming days.

The full carparks along Surfers beachfront will be closed to the public. Picture Glenn Hampson

Police patrols began on Monday after council announced the beach closures in the wake of big crowds over the weekend, many of which were allegedly from Brisbane and Logan.

Officers will ramp up their efforts today.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said officers would have a heavy presence on beaches in coming days moving on people attempting to break the rules.

“You will see police on all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles and they will engage with the community,” he said.

Council closed three beaches last night Picture Glenn Hampson

The beach and carpark closures will be reviewed next week depending on the behaviour of locals.

However, Cr Tate reiterated his threats to close the Gold Coast’s remaining beaches if crowds again flocked to the water this weekend.

“The message is, stay away. If you are a local who needs to exercise on the beach, do it and then get home,” he said.

World champ surfer Stephanie Gilmore was yesterday spotted at The Spit boat ramp, she returned to the boat ramp via a jetski with a surfboard ahead of beaches being closed.

“I am asking people to do the right thing and the simple message is this - assume you have tested positive for COVID-19. What is your next step? You’re not going to go and spread the virus so if everyone takes that mindset, it doesn’t matter if the barricades are up, it is the right thing to not spread it.

“It is with reluctance that I have to announce this but I cannot stress this enough - COVID-19 is contagious and once the curve is flattened we have to be diligent about this.”

Early morning traffic walking at The Spit on the Gold Coast on the last day before beach closure. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT