A festival to celebrate the partial reopening of Binna Burra Lodge later this year has been given a $50,000 funding boost by the Palaszczuk Government.
Making the announcement before today's final meeting of the Binna Burra Lodge Recovery Taskforce, State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the funding is part of the Queensland Government's commitment to seeing the tourism icon resume operations.
"While the complex road repairs and recent rain make it hard to pinpoint a specific date when the site can be partially reopened, this announcement reinforces to Binna Burra management and the community our continuing support," Mr Dick said.
"The funds will support planning and staging for an event to celebrate the road to recovery and we look forward to locals and visitors again returning to Binna Burra and the wider Scenic Rim area."
The 8 September bushfire destroyed the heritage-listed Lodge and all but one of the accommodation cabins and caused major stabilisation issues on the sole access road.
Mr Dick said a taskforce of government agencies, the Lodge Board and the Scenic Rim Regional Council was immediately established to oversee and coordinate recovery works.
"We wanted to help link displaced staff with new employers and develop and deliver a recovery action plan.
"Binna Burra is a major employer and contributor to the local economy, and the Scenic Rim relies heavily on the tourism market, so we were determined to streamline recovery actions and support the Lodge and region.
"Nearly 50 actions were identified and 46 are now complete or well underway, and three involve longer-term plans.
"This is a great outcome and, as we saw with the recent reopening of the Binna Burra kitchen as the Headmaster's Cafe at Beechmont, a real morale boost for the Lodge Board, staff, locals and visitors.
"I'd like to thank the taskforce, which has met for the 10th time today for coming together so quickly in the week of the fire and for the collaborative way it has tackled this challenge and delivered outcomes."
Taskforce outcomes include:
- Nearly 40 of the 56 displaced workers gaining new employment or being linked to training through TAFE or other courses
- onsite demolition planning
- removal of debris and hazardous materials
- geotechnical assessments for road stabilisation and repairs
- building and site heritage preservation
- restoration of walking trails
- utilities provisioning and testing
- site security
- promoting short to medium-term promotion campaigns to bring tourists back to the region.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said that working closely with the taskforce had accelerated the recovery process following the bushfire.
"Tourism is vital for the economic wellbeing of our communities and the taskforce's support is invaluable in bringing jobs and visitors back to our beautiful Scenic Rim region," Cr Christensen said.
"News of the devastating Lodge fire made headlines around the world and we look forward to being able to celebrate the rebirth of the iconic Binna Burra with the same attention seeking headlines."
Chair Steve Noakes said the board had been overwhelmed by the taskforce's efficiency in smoothing the path to recovery and helping Binna Burra plan a new future.
"We're very appreciative of the assistance we've received through Minister Dick's taskforce and this funding will help us to plan and promote reopening festivities," Mr Noakes said.
"The Sky Lodges, Groom's Cottage, our Tea House and the campsite will be the first facilities up and running with guided activities including abseiling, archery, a ropes course and bushwalking.
"We're continuing to plan for a new attraction, the via ferrata, which will be a permanent climbing route on the cliffs."
