PREMIER Annastacia Palaszcuk has announced the reopening of North Stradbroke Island for day trips from this weekend but the short notice given to businesses means some may not be able to resume trading immediately.
Mayor Karen Williams said she would have liked businesses to have been given more time to prepare for the reopening.
The Redland Local Disaster Management Group, which Cr Williams chairs, requested earlier this month that the island be reopened in stages and businesses given notice to prepare for the influx of visitors.
"We asked for those with holiday homes allowed to access the island in the first stage, followed by tourists in the second stage, to help manage crowds and give businesses time to re-establish themselves," she said.
"Ferry companies have reduced the number of vessels they are operating and their staff have taken leave. They need time to return their services to normal.
"Our other businesses also need to ensure they have enough staff, many of whom left the island when businesses closed.
"Businesses also need time to restock basic items, much of which comes from the mainland, and requires transporting to the island."
Ms Palaszcuk said camping and access to residential accommodation would be reinstated for the upcoming school holidays if everything went to plan over the coming weeks.
Straddie Chamber of Commerce President Colin Battersby said he was delighted that the island had been reopened but the short notice given to businesses meant many would not be able to start trading straight away.
He said the chamber wanted more clarity about the Premier's statement that island accommodation could reopen on the school holidays, which are set to begin on June 25.
"As far as we know, we are the same as the rest of Queensland and we are opening on June 12," Mr Battersby said.
"We have had nothing official other than that and it is not clear.
"The Premier's statement does help anyone in terms of allaying that confusion.
"We will be looking to contact government (representatives) and find out what the details are.
"We are pretty desperate to work with them on this whole thing."
Mr Battersby said it was not possible for one of his personal businesses, Fishes Cafe, to reopen this weekend because they did not have any supplies and were painting the shop.
"We are certainly not open," he said. "We don't have a single chip or a bit of fresh fish or salad. The cold room is completely empty.
"I would imagine that is the case for most businesses on the island."
He said the weather was set fair for the weekend and invited people to pack a sandwich and visit the island again.
Cr Williams has called for calm and is urging people to stay patient and use common sense.
"We want people to love visiting the island, but with less than 24 hours notice not all businesses will be open so people need to take that into account and call ahead before making the journey to the island," she said.
"People also need to continue practicing social distancing and good hygiene because there are vulnerable residents on the island who need to be respected and protected."
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