LIMESTONE Coast Police have warned interstate travellers this long weekend is not the time to travel to South Australia as they plan to ramp up border controls.
Border controls have remained a topical issue among cross-border communities, with many questioning the lack of patrols throughout the region during the COVID19 pandemic.
The debate remains divisive with Nelson business operators this week revealing the lack of activity had impacted their town, triggering calls for border restrictions to be lifted.
However those businesses will have to wait with Limestone Coast Police operations manager Campbell Hill revealing there will be a particular focus on strengthening those border controls this weekend.
“We will have a variety of static and mobile police conducting border checks on the weekend,” Insp Hill said.
“There will be a number of police arriving from Adelaide who will work heavy hours on back roads throughout the region to detect travellers coming from interstate, so they are afforded the appropriate scrutiny.
“Effectively we are highlighting that this weekend is not the weekend to come to South Australia for a holiday.”
Insp Hill said the increased focus would include an ongoing sustained presence on Glenelg River Road – a popular tourist thoroughfare between South Australia and Victoria.
“We have had a police presence in that area and are aware of there are perceptions of free travel in that area,” he said.
“However we have been contacting and engaging with many of those people moving through and the large majority are essential travellers living in cross-border communities.”
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin has been among several community leaders calling on the State Government to ramp up border controls at the site to safeguard the city from future COVID-19 cases, while supporting essential travellers.
“While I understand it is not good news for all people, it is good for maintaining the welfare of our region,” Ms Martin said.
“We need to continue to adhere to the advice of the public health sector and the State Government and they have not yet moved on the borders.”
As the Limestone Coast gets set to “welcome back” intrastate tourists to the region this long weekend, Ms Martin said businesses appeared to be well-prepared for an influx of visitors.
“I certainly hope that we see many visitors from other regions right here in the Limestone Coast,” Ms Martin said.
It comes as campground bookings for this weekend across the Limestone Coast were favourable compared to the same time last year.
Coorong National Park has had a 73pc increase in booking compared to last year while the Canunda National Park booking have also risen by 65pc.
“I do understand there are strong numbers for Port MacDonnell, Robe and Kingston, which is great for the region,” Ms Martin said.
