Anti-Queensland sentiment in Tweed Shire has led to some people covering their Queensland number plates over the weekend as incidents of scratching cars with Queensland number plates has occurred.
‘That is something nobody wants to see happen, it is a difficult enough time as it is,’ Chris Cherry, Deputy Mayor of the Tweed Shire Council, told Echonetdaily.
Tweed Shire Council had closed beachside carparks over the Easter long weekend and for the rest of the NSW holidays, in an attempt to reduce the number fo day trippers coming to Tweed beaches.
‘With the Gold Coast Council closing all their beach carparks and their main tourist beaches, including Coolangatta beaches, Council felt we had no choice or we would be swamped from all sides,’ Mayor Katie Milne had told Echonetdaily on Friday.
‘We were already being inundated with complaints about the high numbers of Queenslanders at some of our main beaches and supermarkets. The thought of the whole Gold Coast and Byron coming to Tweed beaches over Easter was untenable.’
The Council closed all but one carpark at Fingal and Ms Cherry said the outcome had mixed results.
‘The carpark that wasn’t closed was full and there were Queensland number plates there but it is important to remember that there are legitimate reasons that people who have Queensland number plates will be in Tweed. We need to do the right thing ourselves,’ she said
While the carpark closures did lead to more parking on side streets near but Ms Cherry said overall people seemed to be understanding of the decision.
‘Council has no authority to close the beach, only the carparks,’ emphasised Ms Milne.
‘As with the border, beaches are under state government authority.’
Ms Cherry highlighted that people are allowed to use the beaches and that ii is important to get plenty of exercise.
‘I think people in our community are being really good and are keen to get it over and done with. I’m really impressed with the amazing community spirit,’ she said.
The TSC are currently looking at how long they will maintain the closures or if it will be expanded.
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