Grey nomads have long been drawn to the gem-seeking paradise of Emerald in central Queensland … but could the love affair be about to fade?
According to media reports, local hoons have been hassling campers at night there … and businesses fear the town could develop a bad reputation that could hit the lucrative tourism sector.
Apparently, more than 20 visitors were parked at the Vince Lester Bridge last Saturday night when a group of people arrived at midnight and started yelling abuse. All but two of the campers packed up and left before dawn.
Emerald bookshop owner, David Baker, told the Central Queensland News he was appalled when he had heard had happened.
“Emerald’s reputation was very good but it’s starting to slip,” Mr Baker told the paper. “People are beginning to drive straight through the town and local businesses are missing out because of it.”
He said Emerald was a gateway to other regions, with many grey nomads stocking up with supplies planning to replenish their groceries in Emerald before heading further west.
The Central Queensland News said grey nomads spend an estimated $9.2 billion in regional Queensland annually … and determine their travel routes through word of mouth.
“People who haven’t got the right information are causing the travellers to rethink their stay in Emerald,” Mr Baker said. “With the way the economy is going, no business can afford a loss of trade and that’s what these select few local people are doing to Emerald by scaring away the travellers.”
He said often the tourists would comment they had never seen so many ‘hoon cars’ such as Ford XR6s and Holden Commodores in one town.
“I often see these sorts of cars speeding through the roundabout going sideways, and it’s only a matter of time before they hit someone,” Mr Baker said. “We’re getting a bad reputation as a hoon town because of these hoon cars.”
