Australia’s iconic Binna Burra Lodge located in the world heritage listed Lamington National Park in Queensland is closer to welcoming back guests after the Australian and Queensland Governments today announced almost $1.8 million in joint funding to support its clean up and recovery.

‘We welcome the support of the partnership between the Federal and State Governments to assist with the clean-up and help with the necessary foundations for the recovery of the Binna Burra site. It’s a significant pivotal point in our bushfire recovery process.’ said Steve Noakes, Chairperson of Binna Burra Lodge Limited.

The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk issued a press statement today to confirm the amount has been allocated to support Binna Burra’s ongoing recovery of the bushfire devastation in September 2019.

The funding would be provided through Category D of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Minister Littleproud said: ‘The DRFA is supporting the relief and recovery efforts across the Scenic Rim, while also providing urgent support to address community needs including mental health and wellbeing. This funding for Binna Burra Lodge is in addition to $20 million provided for Category C Community Recovery Packages that will support recovery for communities in the local government areas impacted by the Queensland Bushfires from September to December last year.’

As the first significant tourism facility to be impacted by the wide-scale wildfires across Australia during the spring/summer of 2019/2020, the National Bushfire Recovery Agency assessed the Binna Burra Lodge proposal as a priority for recovery in Queensland.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority will oversee the $1.775 million fund’s delivery, making sure it goes towards clean-up and stabilising the cliff face to ensure safety around the site into the future.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “Under this funding, the Binna Burra Lodge will also undertake master planning to inform its recovery and restoration needs after the September fires.’

She added that ‘The Queensland Government wants to see this historic lodge, which has been a jewel in our state’s tourism crown since 1933, back on its feet and welcoming guests. This is why we set up the Binna Burra Taskforce in September last year, to fast-track its recovery.’

‘Partnerships are critical to recovery after major bushfire devastation’ said Noakes.

‘At Binna Burra, we talk about our post bushfire PALs – Partnerships, Alliances and Linkages. One PAL has been Hon. Cameron Dick, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning. On the same day of the 8 September 2019 bushfire, he called me and offered to immediately set up a Queensland Government Binna Burra Recovery Task Force. That Task Force which has now run its six-month time-frame has been highly appreciated by all at Binna Burra. It was invaluable in helping us through the maze of local, state and federal government agencies necessary after the bushfires and also in our submissions via the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the Federal Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Agency.’

‘The partnership between the local, state and federal governments is substantially enabling our post-bushfire recovery efforts’ concluded Noakes

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CLICK HERE to read the announcement on the QRA Government Website

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited Beechmont/Binna Burra on Sunday 15 September 2019 and met with Steve Noakes, Chairperson of the Board at Binna Burra Lodge.