BORDER CHAOS
A PREGNANT woman was forced to walk across the Queensland border instead of driving to avoid hour-long traffic delays caused by 11th-hour permit changes.
The woman was among thousands caught in the chaos yesterday following a decision to introduce a new declaration system at noon.
Peak-hour traffic was at a crawl from Currumbin to the border as motorists were asked to complete the new declaration on the spot.
CRAVING the glamour, games and gourmet of The Star Gold Coast, tourists from across Australia are making plans to visit the city.
The phones at The Star Gold Coast have been ringing off the hook since the Queensland Government announced restrictions would ease from midday on Friday and borders partially reopen from July 10.
The Star Gold Coast food and beverage manager Richard Gush said when the restaurant booking co-ordinator told him she was getting slammed with calls, he burst out smiling.
“Our restaurant reservation team has been getting over 100 calls a day, which is huge considering they were getting 10 a day three weeks ago,” he said.
“A lot of people are on school holidays, so we are getting a lot of locals and people from southeast Queensland wanting to stay in the hotel.”
With gaming returning to the venue, more than 1000 workers started their first shift on Friday since The Star was forced to close on March 23.
Gold Coast gamblers were quick to find a seat at the tables and hit the machines.
Mr Gush said there was a lot of pent-up demand for what the venue offers.
“If this week is a sign of things to come, it’s really encouraging,” he said.
“I know it’s tough for a lot of people and we are a great escape for a lot of them.”