Joint media release with the Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP
One of Queensland’s most loved tourist destinations has been given a new lease of life, with the completion of new facilities at Binna Burra Lodge, co-funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
In September 2019, a bushfire ripped through in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park in the Scenic Rim, razing the iconic lodge. It destroyed the main lodge, kitchen, dining room, library, reception and retail areas, along with 42 of its 43 cabins.
$500,000 was provided to the Scenic Rim Regional Council through the jointly funded State and Commonwealth government Local Economic Recovery Program for the extension of Binna Burra’s Tea House deck and construction of showers, toilets, a first aid room and storage areas.
Four safari tents have also been built at the camping ground and a new amenities blocks – at the base of Mount Roberts.
In addition to the funding awarded to the Scenic Rim Regional Council, an initial $900,000 was provided to Binna Burra Lodge Ltd as part of a $2 million Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant. The grant will be used to build a welcome/reception/admin building and construction of dedicated back-of-house facilities for housekeeping and maintenance.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said he was pleased to see the historic lodge, which has been on the map since 1933, now back on its feet and welcoming guests.
“Binna Burra Lodge is an iconic destination for visitors and locals alike, and it was devastating to see the fire rip through.
“I’ve stayed at Binna Burra with my own family and I know how distressing it was for people to see this ecotourism jewel’s natural environment destroyed.
“This investment in tourism plays a key role in supporting regional recovery from natural disasters and we will continue to stand with communities as they recover from the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season.”
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said today’s milestone achievement is thanks to the efforts of everyone from the Binna Burra Taskforce, Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
“The hard work put in to fast-track Binna Burra Lodge’s recovery has paid off and I’m sure it will quickly return to one of Queensland’s most iconic tourist attractions,” Minister Scanlon said.
“To get to this point, the Binna Burra Lodge has undertaken master planning to inform its recovery and restoration needs.
“I am pleased the DRFA funding has allowed for the rebuilding of Binna Burra so it can once again shine as a leading visitor destination for the Scenic Rim, bringing with it all the economic benefits and job opportunities a world class eco-tourism destination has to offer.
“I’d like to thank Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Binna Burra Lodge for their ongoing commitment to building a new future for this iconic Queensland tourism destination.”
