It will now be easier to find a camping spot in your favourite national park as Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease as part of Queensland's plan for jobs and economic recovery.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said that the limit on the number of people who can stay in Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service camping areas will be increased, boosting local tourism as part of Queensland's plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs.
"Queensland is managing the health response to COVID-19, which means we've started delivering Queensland's plan for economic recovery," the Minister said.
"Part of our plan to manage the worldwide economic impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic is supporting traditional industries like tourism.
"It will be now be easier for more families, friends and interstate visitors to pitch a tent and be camping under the stars, like in the beautiful bush settings of Coochin Creek in Beerwah State Forest.
"That also means supporting local businesses.
"More than $430,000 has been provided over the past two years to upgrade the facilities at the Coochin Creek campground in the Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests.
"This includes a new four cubicle toilet facility, water treatment system, solar power supply, improved water storage and roadwork upgrades within the camping area and access roads."
The Palaszczuk Government is investing $45 million in revitalising infrastructure in National Parks and State Forests to enhance everyone's enjoyment of these places, provide new opportunities for Queensland's nature-based ecotourism industry, and boost jobs in regional areas.
This is on top of the additional $8.9 million National Parks Works and Jobs Boost program, announced last month by the Premier, to improve existing facilities, helping to support tourism and local jobs as part of the state's plan for economic recovery from COVID-19.
Minister Enoch said that since campground bookings reopened in early June thousands of Queenslanders had already camped in Queensland's national parks and State forests, and from today our border is open to travellers from most other states, apart from Victoria.
"More than 30,600 camping bookings and more than 16,700 vehicle access permits have been issued since bookings reopened, a sure sign that Queensland is Good to Go.
Information on how to find a campground near you and to make a booking online visit www.qld.gov.au/camping.
COVID-19 Restricted Access Area Authority and vehicle access permits can be purchased from http://qpws.bookeasy.com.
