Coronavirus Gold Coast: Police Commissioner blast crowds at Burleigh Hill

Queensland’s police commissioner has warned Gold Coasters more officers will be at Burleigh today after a disappointing end to the first weekend of lifted restrictions.

MORE police resources will patrol Burleigh Hill after large crowds gathered to watch the sunset yesterday.

Speaking this morning, police commissioner Katarina Carroll said people were compliant when moved on by officers late yesterday afternoon. No fines were issued, she said.

“However, what we are doing today is putting more resources to that area, working with the Gold Coast City Council for more signage and barricades to make sure that people can comply,” she said.

The crowds yesterday afternoon. Picture: Nine News

Speaking earlier on the Today Show, Commissioner Carroll warned Gold Coasters the behaviour yesterday threatened the state’s recovery from COVID-19.

“The behaviour of crowds across the weekend has been absolutely tremendous and then we saw that situation at Burleigh last night,” Commissioner Carroll said.

Police have given a final warning to Gold Coasters after large crowds on Burleigh Hill yesterday. Picture: Getty Images.

“I have an additional 900 police out across the state. It is a warning, please don’t do that again this afternoon, there will be more police out.

“We were trying to do the right thing yesterday and asking people to stay apart.

“The message all along is if an area is very, very busy please move away from there so we can maintain that social distancing.”

Commissioner Carroll said 146 fines have been handed out across the state for reckless behaviour.

Crowds yesterday were well behaved at Burleigh Heads but in some areas, like the Connor St pedestrian crossing, social distancing became impossible. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“An Airbnb at Carrara, a party of seven one night, a party of 18 the next night, that was 25 breaches,” she said.

“Another party in Brisbane where 10 people were on a balcony having a good time, that’s another 10 breaches.

The packed crowds at Burleigh last night.

MORE NEWS

Investor’s disappointing restaurant sale

Crunch time for mega-development

Surge in number of firms on brink of collapse

“So disappointingly, those people are really not doing the right thing, but in essence most people are really trying to be compliant this weekend.”

Commissioner Carroll said she hoped tougher restrictions would not need to be rolled back into place.

Crowds in James St at Burleigh Heads yesterday. Picture Glenn Hampson

“A majority of people are really doing the right thing, however where we will muck up into the future, it is those who are really not taking up this,” she said.

“I ask that people do comply and definitely do that in the next two weeks.”