Are we there yet?
Strict border checks guarantee snarling traffic queues
LONG waits have continued at the NSW-Queensland border entry points for incoming visitors – and frustrated Tweed-Coolangatta locals on the dividing line – as police keep up stringent declaration checks to weed out Victorians.
Drivers waited at least 90 minutes to cross the Queensland/NSW border on Sunday as stringent checks created long queues and forced border residents to remain at home.
One driver said it took 90minutes to cross the border mark on Sunday but she was yet to get near the checkpoint for her pass to be seen.
“Haven’t gone above 8km/h in an hour and 45 minutes and still haven’t reached the checkpoint,” she said.
Signage on the Tweed Coast warned drivers of 90minute delays but the driver said gridlock started well before the Tweed area.
Some residents on the Tweed said they were unable to leave their homes by car due to the congestion.
Matt Burke of Coolangatta cafe Raw Energy said his customers were complaining about wait times to cross the border increasing drastically.
“We have had a lot coming in saying the time to cross the border has jumped from a 20minute wait time to 4 hours in a week,” he said.
“The borders weren’t even meant to be opened before and now that they are people have to wait longer.”
When the Queensland borders reopened on Friday to all states and territories other than Victoria, thousands of holidaygoers made the drive to the Sunshine State causing long queues and hours of waiting time.
All weekend the three Tweed-Coolangatta border crossings were at gridlock as predicted by police who warned motorists border patrols into the Gold Coast will last for hours as they conduct stiff new checks to weed out Victorians. It includes asking motorists for proof they have not been in coronavirus stricken Victoria for 14 days.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said: “I know it’s a very frustrating time when it comes to the traffic backlog.
“Our number one priority from day one, since it all began in January is keep Queenslanders safe.
“I want to commend the Premier for her tough stance against strong opposition to maintain the safety of Queenslanders. I want to say to Queenslanders, we share your frustration. We know this is a tough time.”
Police manning checkpoints at Coolangatta and Tugun had turned back 46 people attempting to enter Queensland who were suspected of having been in Victorian hot spots in the past 14 days by late Saturday.
It comes after 238,000 people had filled out border passes before Queensland’s borders reopened on Friday.
No new COVID-19 cases were recorded overnight in Queensland with 421,738 tests conducted.
The state remains on 1,070 confirmed cases of the virus with three active.