Queensland reopens ACT border, holiday-makers expected to flock to Gold Coast as new Qantas flights announced

A new flight service from Canberra to the Gold Coast has been announced - just in time for the school holidays.

A NEW flight service from Canberra to the Gold Coast has been announced just in time for the school holidays.

The seasonal Qantas service will operate up to four times a week for four weeks from September 25.

The Palaszczuk Government on Friday announced it would reopen Queensland’s borders to the ACT in hopes of boosting state tourism.

Assistant Tourism Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the announcement was “another positive step” in the Glitter Strip’s COVID-19 recovery.

“This service is set to deliver potential overnight visitor expenditure of $903,000 over that four-week period,” she said.

“This recommencement is perfectly times to provide an immediate boost to the region during Canberra’s school holiday period.”

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the new flights would meet demand of Australians “looking to explore their own backyard”.

“This new flight means you leave Canberra at lunch and by midafternoon you can be sitting on the beach enjoying everything the Gold Coast has to offer,” he said.

The service is supported by the government’s $15 million aviation recovery fund and will boost an existing Gold Coast-Canberra service.

EARLIER:

THE Gold Coast tourism industry is expected to get a shot in the arm when Queensland reopens to the ACT next Friday.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles announced this morning the border closure would be lifted.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has announced the border will reopen to ACT residents next Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

He urged Canberra residents to consider Queensland for a holiday when the closure ends at 1am next Friday.

“This is timed to coincide with the school holidays in the ACT,” he said.

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Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said anyone heading to Queensland from the ACT once borders reopen would not be able to drive and will have to fly in.

Dr Young said motorists would have to travel through New South Wales, which is still a Queensland Government designated hot spot.

Mr Miles confirmed no new coronavirus cases had been recorded overnight.

ACT holiday-makers are expected to flock to the Gold Coast and across Queensland. Picture: Queensland Tourism

The easing of the border restrictions paves the way for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese to jet into Queensland to back their party colleagues ahead of the upcoming state election on October 31.

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The reopening also means Mr Morrison – a keen AFL fan – will be able to attend the grand final at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Mr Morrison said earlier this week he was “not holding his breath” in regards to being allowed across the Queensland border without completing 14 days of quarantine.

The border closure meant it looked likely Mr Morrison would be the first prime minister not to attend the grand final in decades.