EASE CLAMPS ASAP
HALL: AXE LIMITS ON VENUES
A GOLD Coast hospitality identity has backed the State Government’s move to further shut borders, despite preparing to open a new brunch spot.
Hospitality operator Scott Imlach is “rip, roaring and ready” to launch new Nobby Beach venture – The Backyard Café – on Thursday.
Just 48 hours later the border will shut to NSW and the ACT.
Mr Imlach, who also has Hideaway Bar & Kitchen, Bine and Nightjar, has previously said closing the border but allowing city businesses to open more freely is better than the other way around.
“It had to be done considering what’s going on around Australia,” he said.
“It’d be ideal if it didn’t need to happen but that’s not the case and luckily, we’ve had really good support from locals.
“Queenslanders are good at exploring their backyard and everyone has been understanding about sticking to restrictions.
“We just need Queenslanders to keep exploring and supporting the businesses in their area.”
Mr Imlach said the new cafe, which can seat 300, would create extra capacity in the overflowing bar and restaurant precinct.
“I need the extra room for patrons because my other venues Bine Bar and Dining and Nightcap only have capacity of 50, and long queues,” he said.
“It’s been a really hard time and after being offered this spot by (developer) Daniel Veitch, I feel it’s going to make a huge difference to my other venues and the area. Nobby’s also needs a new fresh breakfast spot that’s all about the locals and we hope to be that.”
The new haven will be an eight-month pop-up trial at the Lavarack Rd address, formerly home to The Yard Cafe.
If successful it will move into the proposed three-level development “The Frederick 1841” on Nobby’s retail strip.
LUKE MORTIMER, KYLE WISNIEWSKI & JESS LAMB
head of the Gold Coast business lobby is calling for an urgent review of existing restrictions within Queensland ahead of border closures to NSW and ACT.
Gold Coast businesses, already wounded and struggling to survive, have been blindsided by the Queensland Premier’s move to close borders to the two states from Saturday.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said the closure was “the worst possible outcome for the economy” and called for easing of remaining social restrictions within Queensland.
“In the face of this shock announcement, we need to start reviewing future easing of restrictions for Queenslanders in Queensland, so we can have a fighting chance while continuing to trade.”
Venues still have to keep patrons seated, nightclubs can’t run dance floors and all businesses whether under or over 200sq m have patron limits to adhere to.
“We’re wounded and we’re not yet recovered,” he said.
“A lot of businesses have started to plan for the new normal but it’s certainly going to be hurting the domestic tourism market even more so.
“They’ve been on their knees, not on their feet. This is another blow.”
Mr Hall said he understood the government was “balancing our economy while trying to save the health of the state”.
Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Hilary Jacobs said: “It’s very disappointing (that) a few people who are selfishly breaking the border restrictions are now going to mean, yet again, the businesses of Queensland are going to be punished by not being able to welcome interstate visitors again.”
Mayor Tom Tate backed the new border closures, believing they were widely supported. “I welcome the Premier making that hard decision and, as I speak to various businesses and Gold Coast residents, we want it closed,” he said.
“Health is the main issue, I know it’s tough on the Tweed and Coolangatta but I’ll be talking to the police about how we can make it a bit easier.”
The Queensland LNP has backed away from its opposition to border restrictions in the evolving pandemic and offered rare bipartisan support for the closures. Labor politicians including Deputy Premier Steven Miles had a field day on Wednesday on social media after LNP had repeatedly called for borders to reopen earlier.
“Who do you trust with Queensland’s borders?” Mr Miles said. “The LNP and (Opposition Leader) Deb Frecklington called for our borders to be wide open 64 times. They’re a risk to our plan to unite and recover.”
Responding to a Twitter post in which Ms Frecklington called for mandatory maximum penalties for people flouting COVID-19 rules, Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said Ms Frecklington “can’t be serious”. “The LNP’s reckless approach would have put all of Queensland’s great work at risk – they can’t be trusted,” she said.
Ms Frecklington said, as the situation in other states changed, so too should Queensland’s response.
“The LNP has always said the border controls are not set and forget,” she said.
“In recent weeks it has become clear the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s honour system at the border was not working. The LNP supports stronger action on borders because we can’t risk a second wave.”
Tweed MP Geoff Provest was concerned the closures could impact 10,000 people in his electorate who work over the border.
WE NEED TO START REVIEWING EASING OF RESTRICTIONS IN QUEENSLAND SO WE HAVE A FIGHTING CHANCE