‘WE’LL REBUILD LODGE’
A BLACKENED and broken chimney is all that remains of the main building of the Gold Coast’s much-loved historic Binna Burra Lodge.
Still smouldering yesterday, the once beautiful 86-year-old rainforest retreat was a pile of broken glass, tiles and rubble.
Firefighters had worked through Monday to clear debris from the winding, singlelane road.
With a return yesterday afternoon, attended by the Bulletin, melted signs were a grim notice of the devastation ahead.
Binna Burra Lodge board chairman Steve Noakes remained stoic as he surveyed the damage on the ground for the first time.
“My first memories of this place were in 1972. I was at Bundaberg State High School,” he said making his way up the main driveway where burnt trees ahead framed the devastating site.
“I am sure that is the same for many people – it’s our special place.”
According to Mr Noakes the raging bushfire flames first reached the lodge over the ridges from the northeast, taking out the cabins.
Then it continued to envelope the ridge until exit was near impossible.
A gutted four-wheel drive, washing machine and fuel pump were all victims of the blaze.
Of the whole site, a total of eight structures were destroyed.
The main building, library reception and one sky lodge were engulfed.
Two rows of heritage log cottages built in the 1930s have also been devastated.
But for the ever-positive Mr Noakes, there were many glimmers of hope.
The pottery shed, a historic cottage, the tea house, camp ground and the barn have all been saved.
“It is a shocking site for not only myself but for all those people around Australia,” he said looking over the ruins.
“And the world who had some connection with this beautiful part of Lamington National Park. It’s heartwrenching to see the devastation that occurred here.”
Despite a near miss personally for his own home, which was also under threat, he is eager to push on.
“There were visionaries who created this place and our generation will do that now too. We have an opportunity like back in the 1930s when the place started as a camping facility, that is what we are going to start with again.”
The board who had their first meeting on Sunday at a makeshift office in Beechmont, last night launched the “Friends of Binna Burra” gofundme campaign.
Displaced residents from the area were yesterday afternoon given the all-clear to return home under police escort.
Many within a few kilometres of Binna Burra at Timburra Dve were returning to gutted structures, only to salvage what they could.
Many had been without a home for five days. In total, 11 homes are confirmed lost along with commercial structures at the Binna Burra precinct and a further three are severely damaged.
Stock loss at this stage remains minimal.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Kevin Walsh said lighter than expected winds helped a successful operation into the evening.
Lamington Park Rd and Sarabah remained the points of focus into the evening and the Numinbah Valley was the centre of activity. The crews will now spend today and tomorrow shoring up containment lines before conditions deteriorate into the weekend.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen, who surveyed the damage in a helicopter with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, said estimated land damage sat at 5500 hectares.
“I can only describe it as somewhat gut wrenching and humbling. Whilst there is a gap in the weather they won’t be withdrawing resources.”
Cr Christensen was met with cheers from weary residents in the refuge centre when he announced: “Good news is everyone has the opportunity to go home. The great news is nobody has lost their life.
“But this is the beginning of the fire season, nowhere near the end of it.”
The evacuation on Monday night was confirmed to have been caused by a new fire.
Three schools in the area – Beechmont and Numinbah Valley state schools and the Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre – are closed today.