'Plan C successfully executed': The extraordinary lengths brazen couple accused of sneaking into Queensland from Victoria went to - even 'boasting of their sneaky plan on social media'
- Lawrence Petersen and Edith van Dommelen allegedly lied to get into QLD
- The couple travelled into Queensland from Victoria to house sit across state
- They documented their adventures on social media, sharing multiple posts
- Both were charged with fraud and failing to comply with border directions
A couple who allegedly breached Queensland's tough border restrictions visited a restaurant, a café and a hospital in the days after entering the state, social media posts shows.
Lawrence Gordon Petersen, 63, and Edith van Dommelen, 68, are accused of lying about travelling to a coronavirus hotspot on their border forms.
The couple allegedly entered into Queensland at Goondiwindi on July 27, despite having been in coronavirus hot spot Victoria just two days before, coming into the state to house sit at multiple locations.
The pair often house sit and pet sit for families across Australia, and share pictures of their adventures on social media for friends and family to see.
According to what appears to be Ms van Dommelen's page, the couple had been in Woodend, about 72km from Melbourne, just days before they made their way into Queensland.
Lawrence Gordon Petersen, 63, and Edith van Dommelen, 68, (pictured) are accused of lying about travelling to a coronavirus hotspot on their border forms
The couple allegedly lied to border officials about where they had been, claiming they hadn't been in a coronavirus hot spot - despite apparently posting on social media from Victoria
The couple from Perth (pictured) entered into Queensland from Victoria on July 27, they were there to house sit at multiple locations across the state
Queensland strengthened its border restrictions on Victorians on July 9 after Melbourne's COVID-19 cases soared.
Previously Victorians could enter the Sunshine State if they spent two weeks in quarantine - but now they have been banned completely and will be turned back if they try to enter Queensland.
Queenslanders have been forced to pay for their own quarantine if they return from Victoria.
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'We'll miss the beauty and rustic Victorian countryside with all its numerous historic sites and places to sightsee but it's time to move on,' Ms van Dommelen's Facebook page says.
The Perth couple had made multiple attempts to leave Victoria, they shared on Facebook.
'I did say watch this space.......well confirmation that Plan C to exit Victoria, has been successfully executed and completed,' she wrote.
The pair (pictured) often house sit and pet sit for families across Australia. They share pictures of their adventures on social media for friends and family to see
They share pictures of their adventures on social media for friends and family to see (pictured, Ms van Dommelen)
'Now relaxing in our Toowoomba accommodation for 2 nights until the start of the first of two house/pet sits that replaced SA Crystal Brook house/pet sit that we should have started today.'
'Plan A' had been to exit Victoria with a permit to enter South Australia, but they would not have found out if they could get through until they got to the border.
'Plan B' was to exit Victoria with a NSW permit as seasonal workers, they would've had to self-isolate for 14 days, which they were going to do in Tuross Heads in NSW, the social media posts show.
'However, on (July 21) at midnight that option was removed our permits voided not valid, needed to reapply under new application and new exemptions', Ms van Dommelen wrote.
'Plan C' saw them enter NSW with a permit for being 'in transit by road rail or plane' as they made their way to Queensland.
She detailed their journey after crossing the border, sharing how they had stayed at a hotel in the main street of Toowoomba and eaten at a nearby cafe.
Queensland strengthened its border restrictions on Victorians on July 9 after Melbourne's COVID-19 cases soared
Motorists are seen approaching a checkpoint at Coolangatta on the Queensland- New South Wales border (pictured on August 7)
On July 30, Ms van Dommelen shared how they had been to Brisbane hospital.
'First day at our Nanango house/pet sit, trip to Royal Brisbane Hospital taking our host...for her pre op appointment and check in preparation for her submission into hospital next Monday for major shoulder surgery,' she wrote.
The couple were caught after police received a tip-off about their travel plans.
They were immediately placed in mandatory hotel quarantine outside the South Burnett area.
The couple appeared in the Richlands Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning charged with fraud and failing to comply with border directions, the Courier Mail reported.
Their case was adjourned to September 15 to allow them time to seek legal advice.
Police will allege the couple crossed the border with false declarations, claiming they had not travelled from a COVID-19 hot spot.
