Deserted sandy stretches not what Gold Coast is famous for

BEACH-LOVING Gold Coasters are still getting oceanfront fixes despite some shutdowns and thousands of car parks off limits.

Famed Surfers Paradise Beach was eerily deserted as dawn broke yesterday, with foreshore entrances near

Cavill Ave mall fenced off and ‘beach closed’ signs. The few walkers and joggers seemingly unaware of the ban were turned back by lifesavers and lifeguards.

But it didn’t stop Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club stalwart Billy James, who used to own bar Billy’s Beach House, hitting the surf.

He spent part of his day catching Broadbeach waves.

“Surfers is 90 per cent tourist and 10 per cent locals,” he said. “Even though it’s put up as one of the bigger beaches, there’s no one here since tourists have stopped coming.

“You only have to go south and find it changes to 60, 40 per cent locals to tourists. Surfers is probably the beach where the least people are.”

Mr James, 63, said he had never seen Surfers beach so empty: “It’s like the end of World War II, where there was a shortage of everything and no one went anywhere because no one had anything.

“There’s been a small over reaction, putting a fence up along Surfers Paradise Beach is just for show. I think it’s so people in places like Brisbane don’t flunk off in their cars for Easter down to the beach.”

Local mother of two Vera Hawash, 47, said she would continue her morning walks despite the closure of beaches.

“I go for a walk on the beach every day for exercise and now I am going on the grass area near the sand. My friends told me not to because I could get fined. It doesn’t make sense, there are not tourists here anymore.

“I’m still going to go tomorrow, are they going to stop me walking on grass? Before all this there was hardly any people around the beach anyway, maybe one here or there.

“They should let locals use the beach. If worried about tourists, keep them away.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom

Tate, who ordered some closures, said: “It may take time for everyone to receive the message and we understand some may have inadvertently entered closed areas.

“The essence of these changes is to encourage social distancing and less crowds. For those able to get to the beach – exercise and then head straight home.”