- First sod turned on rebuild of iconic Gold Coast hinterland accommodation burned down in 2019 bushfires.
- Deputy Premier Cameron Dick and Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen have returned a bell they recovered from the wreckage back in 2019.
- The Queensland Labor Government provided $18 million of assistance to Binna Burra Lodge from the Regional Tourism Recovery Program (RTRP).
- Approximately 88 full-time jobs to be created during construction, as well as approximately 70 ongoing full-time jobs.
A gem of Queensland tourism will rise from the ashes with construction on the new iconic Binna Burra Lodge to start within the next two months.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick, Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen and Binna Burra Lodge Chairman Steve Noakes turned the first sod on Wednesday, February 20 to mark the occasion.
Binna Burra Lodge received $18 million from the Queensland Labor Government under the Regional Tourism Recovery Program (RTRP) to support the reconstruction of the Lodge and 36 cabins lost in the 2019 bushfires.
During planning and construction, it is estimated 88 full-time jobs will be created, along with the creation of a further 70 ongoing full-time jobs.
The rebuild is expected to increase visitation by 25,000 overnight and 25,000 daytrip visitors per year.
The Binna Burra Tea House and other accommodation options such as 6 new Tiny Wild Houses opened in April 2023 will continue to operate throughout the rebuild.
The rebuild is also expected to generate almost $11 million a year in overnight visitor expenditure once fully operational.
Binna Burra Lodge provides services for approximately 300,000 visitors annually at its picturesque Lamington National Park site.
Completion of the Binna Burra Lodge rebuild and cabins, to be constructed by locally sourced suppliers, is anticipated in 2025.
RTRP funding is part of a package of initiatives supporting the delivery of the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:
"The destruction of Binna Burra Lodge in 2019 was devastating for the business, for its guests and the Gold Coast hinterland community.
"On that heartbreaking day in 2019, Mayor Christensen and I recovered an old bell from the wreckage, so to return it to this site to mark the rebuild of Binna Burra Lodge today is just fantastic.
"Through the Regional Tourism Recovery Program, the Queensland Labor Government is supporting secure local jobs created by this rebuild, both through construction and the ongoing operation of the accommodation once it's complete.
"Binna Burra Lodge is open for business right now and right through the rebuild, so I encourage everyone to come to Binna Burra and support an icon of Queensland tourism through its recovery."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Healy:
"The reconstruction of Binna Burra Lodge is one of Queensland's most significant commitments to ensuring the long-term future of a much-loved visitor destination," Minister Healy said.
"The historic cabins and Lodge had been a centrepiece of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park for almost a century and its loss was devastating.
"The bushfires in 2019 were crippling but today marks another step towards recovery and to returning the Lodge to its former glory.
"Binna Burra Lodge holds a special place in the hearts of many and with works now commencing on the new build, we can be assured it won't be long until more visitors can once again enjoy this majestic part of the world."
Quotes attributable to Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen
"I feel very emotional as I stand here today and turn the sod for the rebuild of the iconic Binna Burra Lodge," Mayor Christensen said.
"I take this opportunity to reflect on the heartache, loss and trauma experienced by the close-knit Lodge Board, staff, volunteers and loyal guests, and our broader Scenic Rim community during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019.
"I am so proud of the communities of Binna Burra and Beechmont for their continued resilience while we worked to rebuild.
"I look forward to celebrating at this wonderful venue for many years to come and hearing about the new memories made here by our future generations."
Quotes attributable to Binna Burra Chair, Board of Directors Steve Noakes:
"This is the most significant funding Binna Burra has received from any public or private sector source in its 90-year history," Mr Noakes said.
"Without it, building a new lodge and accommodation on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape could have been some decades away but now, this piece of Queensland's heritage will be restored.
"As part of the pioneering ecotourism locations in Australia for almost 100 years, Binna Burra has introduced thousands of primary, secondary and tertiary education students and researchers, as well as the general public to the wonder of Queensland's natural environment.
"Increased public awareness about Queensland's rainforest biodiversity is critical to resourcing the effective management of this World Heritage location listed on the Queensland Heritage Register."
