COVID-19 Travel Inside of Queensland - Permit ????

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Does anyone know what the process is for Intra-state travel? This refers to travel between towns and cities within Queensland - not crossing any state or territory borders.

In an attempt to find out whether permits can be issued for Intrastate travel I sent a message to the Queensland Police Service - via the PoliceLink online form; especially since they are the ones who started to fine people travelling to the refuse stations $1300 or undertaking driving lessons!

The kind folks at Police Link referred me to QLD Health - "who are the lead agency with all queries relating to COVID-19".

The only thing I could find at Queensland Health was this link Non-essential business, activity and undertaking Closure Direction (No.5) | Queensland Health (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/non-essential-business-closure-direction)

The reason I ask is that I ordered some items online that are not available in Bundaberg. Some of the items cannot be covered by freight by the sellers because they are quoted as "Too heavy or Bulky for freight". These items are located in Hervey Bay - Noosa and the Gold Coast.

Perhaps due to these factors I could be covered under...Essential road user means a person to whom the following paragraphs (a) to (d) applies: B: The person’s work, business activity or undertaking to be performed is of a nature that cannot reasonably be performed from the person’s place of residence? Sourced from the above link.

I do not want to be hit with one or more fines if I do venture out upon the roads - the only information I can find on government websites refer to Border permits.

Or is it a case that because these items could be regarded as "non-essential" - as in no one's life depends on it - I just have to stay at home and the stuff stays where it is?

I have filled out another online form with the Department of Health. Plus I may risk doing a non-essential trip and visit the local police station. Perhaps if I carry a bottle of milk in with me to prove I had gone shopping and I was just passing the Police station on my way home ...

How have other people worked out the issue of travelling between towns in Queensland and not have to donate $1300 for the pleasure of taking the trip?

Kind regards
Lionel

[jonesfam]

Lionel
Don't know how it works where you are but, Doomadgee/Burketown the application for travel is being managed by Local Government.
Maybe worth while having a look at whichever councils are involved web sites.
Just a thought.
Jonesfam

[trout1105]

Why not simply make arrangements with your supplier to send the items via courier/trucking company instead of posting them (too heavy) .[thumbsupbig]
IF this fails simply shop around until you find a supplier that WILL accommodate you[thumbsupbig][biggrin]

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Thanks Jonesfam and Trout for the replies.

I was driving along the road from the Chemist to get a prescription filled and off to the local tool centre to pick-up a tool that I had not really ordered. I noticed that I was just about to drive past the local Police station. So I called in - while maintaining Social Distancing.

The person on the counter - a civilian once I described what I was going to pick up said to me, "As these items are not available in Bundaberg it is alright to travel to another town where the items are located and pick them up. It is essential travel because they are not available locally.

The description from the Queensland Department of Health that the counter attendant mentioned links back to... undertaking to be performed is of a nature that cannot reasonably be performed from the person’s place of residence

Trout one item is a shop press with a capacity of 20 Tons. The local trade outlet only had a version of the press with a pressure gauge on it. Apparently a very expensive pressure gauge. Their version without a gauge is no longer available and they are seeking new suppliers. I bought the equivalent sans-pressure gauge press from a mob that does not have a branch in Bundaberg. The second item is a six cylinder diesel engine. After I pick up the engine I will go to another location to pick-up a gearbox. Neither the engine or the gearbox is available in Bundaberg

I also bought a new trailer late last year that is a flat top especially so it can be loaded by forklifts. While I could organise freight - I did buy the trailer so I did not have to pay freight.

Kind regards
Lionel