As Queensland removes road checkpoints and barricades that have split border communities for almost two years, some locals are optimistic.3.6 million vehicles have been checked at the border with 35,902 turned aroundStaff shortages are the next challenge for border businessesrelieving disruptions within the Coolangatta and Tweed Heads community that have ranged from traffic delays to financial hardship.rate expected in late January.
Yet while the removal of barricades has sparked optimism, there is still a deep sense of frustration within a community that some feel has been "tarnished".Dan Mulcay opened a small wine bar in Coolangatta early last year, and said the restrictions seemed "necessary to an extent".were implemented, preventing previously essential workers like teachers and tradies from entering.
"As a business owner I'd say from a different perspective, it was hectic and it all happened at once.""Sometimes [border checkpoints] would be a straight-through trip and sometimes it would be 40–50 minutes to get through," he said."Thank goodness a lot of our regular customers got used to it."Mr Spence said fares could be unpredictable, causing difficulties for drivers and passengers alike.
"It was something we really couldn't organise because we didn't know what was going to happen," he said.Cafe manager Russell Bilson said the removal of checkpoints "needs to happen"."It's really been a waste of time for the past couple of weeks," he said.
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