STATE TO INCREASE CAMPAIGN SPENDING ON BUSHFIRE AREAS
THE State Government will spend $300,000 on tourism marketing campaigns to support Gold Coast communities affected by recent bushfires.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the money would be split evenly between Southern Queensland Country Tourism, Visit Sunshine Coast and Brisbane Marketing, which includes the Scenic Rim and Binna Burra.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of these areas and a driving force of the Queensland economy. It’s vital that we get the message out that Queensland is ready to welcome visitors and give them a great experience,” Ms Jones said. “The best way for people to support these communities is to visit.”
Ms Jones said a number of the areas hit hard by the bushfires had some of the best tourism experiences.
“The subtropical rainforest of the Scenic Rim, the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast and the rustic charm of southern Queensland country are destinations that visitors simply experience,” she said.
“This activity will complement Tourism and Events Queensland’s major domestic campaign that will be in market in October and November.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, on a visit to Binna Burra on the weekend, said the Hinterland would “rise from the ashes”. Ms Jones and State Development Minister Cameron Dick are in charge of the recovery program.
Mr Dick said a taskforce created to help communities rebuild from the fires would ensure displaced staff had access to the support and opportunities they needed.
“That’s why tomorrow my department will host a workers’ transition session in Beechmont for Binna Burra staff,” Mr Dick said,
Prominent hospitality employers promoting job opportunities would include Accor, the Mantra Group, Peppers, Spicers Retreats, Village Roadshow, Club Training Australia, and nearby O’Reilly’s Retreat, which was also affected by the fires.
“Employment agencies will attend the session, as will state and federal agencies who can help with hardship payments, and community support groups such as Red Cross, Lifeline and Uniting Care,” Mr Dick said.
Late yesterday, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service was watching closely to ensure forecast lightning strikes did not spark more fires in the Hinterland, a spokesman said. Several fires in the southwest of the state were ignited by lightning yesterday, but there were no new fires in the Hinterland.
Canungra recorded 7mm of rain while Mt Tamborine (4mm) and Beechmont (3mm) also had some falls.
Fires continued to burn in the Binna Burra, O’Reilly’s and Numinbah Valley area, but they did not pose any threat to property.