BURSTING BUBBLE

152,000 more can come visit

GOLD Coast city and tourism leaders say a decision to dramatically extend the border bubble to five northern NSW areas – and 152,000 extra potential drive-market visitors – is the first real “ray of light” in eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CITY leaders are jumping for joy as Queensland prepares a major border relaxation to throw open the doors to 152,000 more potential tourists from northern New South Wales.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said the changes were a “light at the end of the tunnel” after “the worst eight months” he has slogged through as the city’s tourism boss. Mayor Tom Tate said Byron Bay has reportedly been “jam-packed” with tourists and the easing of border restrictions coinciding with the Queensland and NSW school holidays would be “a huge step forward” for the struggling tourism sector.

The controversial border bubble will burst from October 1 when Queensland reopens to northern NSW council areas and all Queenslanders can visit the city’s struggling southern neighbours.

It means northern NSW residents from Tweed and other designated local government areas will finally be able to travel north to Brisbane or further afield for work.

Queensland and NSW residents from the designated postcodes will also be able to travel for recreation purposes, not just activities deemed essential – as long as they fill out a border pass stating they have not been in a designated COVID-19 hot spot.

The State Government will welcome residents from Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glenn Innes shires from 1am on October 1, when all Queenslanders will also be allowed to travel to permitted northern NSW areas.

It comes after it was decided Queensland would reopen borders to the ACT this Friday.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said Queensland had recorded no new coronavirus cases overnight and the state had 16 active cases.

It was safe to ease border restrictions due to low case numbers in northern NSW, he said.

“This means that we will be able to travel there, residents from there will be able to travel here relatively freely for healthcare, work, to visit family and or friends,” he said.

However, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned the easing of the restrictions was conditional.

“We will be carefully monitoring the expanded border

zone between now and Thursday October 1 and if we suddenly see cases appearing in northern NSW then these measures will not proceed,” she said.

“Queensland’s border zone will expand from 1am on Thursday, October 1, to include Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes council areas.”

“Border residents can apply for a border pass and travel around Queensland for any purpose, and Queenslanders can travel to those places as well,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“It’s an important step in supporting border communities and ensuring Queensland’s economy rebounds.

“Thanks to Queensland’s strong health response and falling numbers of the virus, we can now take a gradual approach to easing these restrictions.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said: “It’s great timing with the NSW school holidays about to start and on the back of the border reopening to the ACT and the commencement of direct flights from Canberra to Coolangatta on Friday.”

He thanked Ms Palaszczuk and said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also deserved credit for containing the virus in the southern state. “The Gold Coast can become the gateway for northern NSW residents to visit other parts of Queensland,” Cr Tate said.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan (pictured) said the changes would pump up the tourism drive market.

“This is because of the good efforts of Queenslanders, making sure they’re social distancing and practising hand washing. We need to make sure that continues,” he said.

“We need to keep observing COVID practices because we can’t afford a relapse and to close down again.

“We’re delighted with the changes and we hope the attractions (and operators) will benefit because they’ve been doing it really tough.

“All the research shows the Gold Coast is the number one destination of choice across the southeast of Australia and all age groups.”

Deputy Mayor Donna

Gates said Gold Coast City Council welcomed “the expansion of the border bubble and its potential to help our local economy recover”.

“I congratulate Gold Coasters for abiding by the social distancing measures – let’s keep up the good work,” she said.

Tweed MP Geoff Provest said the decision “will be welcomed by the additional 152,000 NSW residents and workers who will soon be able to cross the border”.