Coast draws visitor line
MELBURNIANS trying to escape the coronavirus lockdown by retreating to coastal holiday homes near Geelong could be dobbed in and end up confined by the same stringent restrictions.
The Borough of Queenscliffe has urged interlopers from Melbourne to stay away.
And some of its businesses have started checking ID cards so they can refuse service to people whose permanent address is in Melbourne.
Even regular holiday-makers to the region, such as former MasterChef host Matt Preston, have found themselves subject to the tension.
After hosting an afternoon slot on ABC radio all last week, Preston was spotted near his Point Lonsdale holiday house, but denied he had broken lockdown rules.
A spokesperson for Preston said the celebrity chef was holidaying with his family on the Bellarine Peninsula before the lockdown was called.
“As he was also broadcasting on certain days during his family holiday at the ABC in Melbourne, this necessitated a commute by Matt alone while his family remained at their holiday home,” the spokesperson said.
“When the lockdown was brought back in, Matt consulted with the ABC, who confirmed in writing that Matt’s role is that of an essential worker and thus permitted him to continue to commute to Melbourne when his services were required, for the balance of his family holiday.
“Matt at all times complied with current government regulations, and is shortly returning to Melbourne at the conclusion of his family holiday.”
Borough Mayor Ross Ebbels urged Melbournebased holiday home owners not to visit.
“We know people from all over Victoria love the borough as much as we do, and avoiding visiting our community at this time will help keep this special place safe and healthy,” Cr Ebbels said.
In line with Health Department advice, local businesses would check ID and could refuse service to anyone who normally lived in Melbourne, a council spokesman said.
“Anyone with a principal place of residence in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire who is already in the borough (of Queenscliffe) is subject to Melbourne’s stage 3 stay-at-home restrictions,” he said.
Surf Coast Shire Lorne councillor Clive Goldsworthy commended most people for doing the right thing.
He said about 80 per cent of holiday bookings in the area had been cancelled, with the remaining few made by regional residents.
Geelong acting mayor Kylie Grzybek confirmed the council had received multiple complaints after stallholders from the Melbourne area of Wyndham held Belmont Market stalls at the weekend.
She said the council was investigating and would look to amend the market’s policy.
Cr Grzybek said Geelong was not presently planning to follow the City of Ballarat, which has encouraged residents to wear masks in public and stay within the municipality.