Coolangatta border protest activity
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) remains committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and seeks the cooperation of the community to comply with the current Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) Directions.
Police are aware of possible protest activity at the Gold Coast border this weekend.
Whilst the QPS recognises and supports the right to peaceful assembly and protest, those who attend are reminded of restrictions and requirements associated with the CHO Directions. Police will take action against any deliberate breach of the CHO Directions with all police action intended to keep our community safe from the further spread of COVID-19.
Additional officers will continue to conduct high visibility patrols around Coolangatta focusing on the Queensland and New South Whales border areas.
Those who attend are reminded of restrictions and requirements associated with COVID-19 , which include not crossing the state line border unless you have a current and valid exemption.
Those taking part in protest action who deliberately and recklessly ignore the CHO Directions could face fines up to $4,135.00 for failing to comply.
Earlier this week Gold Coast police fined a Murwillumbah man following investigations into alleged actions during protest activity in Coolangatta last Sunday (August 22).
Police will allege the 52-year-old man was riding a horse when he crossed the border into Queensland without a permit. Investigators located the man on August 24 and he was issued with a $4,135.00 infringement notice for failing to comply with the Chief Health Officer Directions.
Queensland police continue to work with the New South Wales Police Force to investigate these matters and have identified other individuals involved in last week’s protest.
Yesterday (August 27), Queensland police provided an adult caution to a 64-year-old Burleigh Heads man and issued a $4,135.00 fine to a 45-year-old Palm Beach woman. Both of these persons have been placed into Hotel Quarantine for fourteen days after travelling into New South Wales without an essential purpose as prescribed in the Queensland Chief Health Officer’s Directions.
In addition, a 69-year-old Nerang man was charged by New South Wales Police Force in relation to matters arising from last Sunday’s protest and has also been placed into Hotel Quarantine for fourteen days.
Police are continuing their investigations into those individuals involved in last Sunday’s protest.
