Picnics and parties on Gold Coast beaches despite health directives

Senior police officers are looking into photos of sunrise revellers at a popular Gold Coast beach viewing spot appearing to break social distancing rules.

A SENIOR police officer has confirmed they are looking into photos of sunrise revellers at a popular Gold Coast beach viewing spot appearing to break social distancing rules.

The group depicted have allegedly been caught out flaunting social distancing rules at a popular Gold Coast picnic spot Burleigh Hill.

A resident at Burleigh Hill claims that a group of around eight to 15 people have gathered every morning at around 6.30am.

“It is same people who gather every morning at this time and fist, handshake and hug each other.

“There’s between eight and 15 of them that turn up for this.

“If this continues I will take things into my own hands, I don’t care if I get arrested but for the better of the safety of innocent others I will take action in the coming days unless this is sorted out by the police. Every day they do this with blatant respect for anyone else, sort it out or I will!”

The group of young people pictured on Burleigh Hill.

Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler confirmed they were reviewing the photographs.

“The images showing what appear to be blatant breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directive are very disappointing and are being reviewed by the Queensland Police Service,” Supt Wheeler said.

“The people depicted have jeopardised their own safety and the safety of the wider community by their actions.”

Shots of large groups of young women picnicking at Point Danger overlooking the surf while drinking sparkling wine were also allegedly taken Wednesday afternoon.

“A group of girls got together for a beach party and group photo completely ignoring the social distancing rules we should all be adhering to,” an annoyed passer-by said.

“This was not a chance meeting as they had drinks, food and were set for a get-together for the afternoon.”

A group pose for a photo at Point Danger.

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Chief Supt. Wheeler added: “Police in the Gold Coast District are working incredibly hard to ensure Queensland Health directives including social distancing are being followed, however we cannot be on every street corner, in every park and on every square metre of beach to ensure every person is acting responsibly.”

He said the changes rolling over into the weekend was not a free pass for people to be “reckless”.

“The upcoming change in directives this Saturday morning does not lift restrictions for public gatherings or social distancing and certainly is not a free pass to behave recklessly.

“Police presence will be increased over the long weekend and we will continue to engage and communicate with members of the public, however will take enforcement action for blatant or reckless breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s directives, which are in place to keep the community safe.”

Under current health directives, an individual may only leave home:

• For essential purposes.

• With people who normally live with you.

• With one person who does not live with you.

• Or with more than one person if you need assistance from more than one carer.

Directives will change on Saturday when Queenslanders are allowed to leave their homes for recreational activities within 50 km of where they live.

The restrictions to the sizes of the groups remain in place.

The photos follow an incident at a Gold Coast Bowls club on Tuesday where a group of about 25 bowlers were warned by police that they were breaking government health directives.