Schoolies told to pack light

Hotel room crowding could attract fine

SCHOOL leavers on the Gold Coast have been warned not to pack hotel rooms or they could cop a $1334 fine for breaching COVID-19 rules.

Additional police resources will be out across the Gold Coast this weekend in anticipation of the arrival of thousands of school leavers, despite the official event being scrapped due to COVID-19.

Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler warned young people to take a “common sense” approach when having people in hotel rooms.

He said gatherings of up to 50 people only applied to private residences and not shortterm accommodation.

“Packing that with people who are not part of the rental agreement can be a breach of the Chief Health Officer’s direction and there is a $1334 fine attached to that,” he said.

“If you’re going to stack a small room with 50 people that would be a problem.

“We ask people to exercise common sense.”

About 200 additional police will be on the Gold Coast in anticipation for the influx of young people. Resources will be similar to previous years.

Police are still unsure as to how many young people will flock to the Gold Coast but predict fewer than previous years.

“In saying that we’ve prepared and planned for larger numbers than usual to come and that’s why we will have such a big policing presence,” Superintendent Wheeler said.

“Officers are going to be patrolling and monitoring the Surfers Paradise CBD in particular, not only through patrols but also through the extensive safety camera network across the Gold Coast and there’s 700-plus cameras in that network, which is really effective.”

Police will patrol public areas in an attempt to crack down on public drinking and large gatherings.

Queensland Health and QAS have also established an emergency treatment centre in Surfers Paradise as a precautionary measure.

The facility includes a team of doctors and nurses, paramedics, emergency psychological services and a social worker.

The purpose of the centre is hospital avoidance so emergency departments remain free for emergencies.

“It has been a really stressful year so we anticipate that towards the end of the long week people get tired, stressed and emotional and we are there to support and take those in need to hospital if required,’ Dr Jeff Hooper said.

While health teams anecdotally say severe binge-drinking levels have dropped year on year, psychological support for school leavers continues to be in high demand.

Other support services include a “chill out zone” with the Red Frogs volunteer service on site.