BRIGHT FUTURE FOR BINNA BURRA ON BUSHFIRE ANNIVERSARY

Scenic Rim icon Binna Burra Lodge has made a strong comeback, one year on from the bushfires which devastated the historic tourism business and surrounding communities.

To commemorate the milestone, the lodge opened its Binna Burra Bushfire Gallery on 8 September 2020, one year to the day from the bushfire which destroyed most of the lodge’s historic buildings.

Mayor Greg Christensen, who officially opened the gallery, welcomed a new chapter in the Binna Burra journey.

“We must take this opportunity to reflect on the heartache, loss and trauma experienced by the close-knit Binna Burra Lodge Board, staff, volunteers and loyal guests and our broader Scenic Rim community, and we will never forget that time,” he said.

“But today, one year on from the bushfire which devastated Binna Burra Lodge, we also look to the future with hope and optimism as we carry on the legacy of its co-founders, Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey’s shared vision of creating a place where people could stay and experience the beauty of the Lamington National Park rainforest.  Once again, sharing the wonder of nature with people who visit the Scenic Rim.

Binna Burra Lodge Chairman Steve Noakes thanked the Mayor and Council for its support throughout the recovery process.

“Here at Binna Burra, and for many months that followed as the bushfires continued around the Scenic Rim region, the Mayor displayed enormous resilience, character, and leadership when the community needed such a person,” said Mr Noakes.

“For us at Binna Burra, we are thankful for his immediate support at the time of the bushfires and over the past 12 months of our recovery.”

Division Three Councillor Virginia West said unity had been at the core of Binna Burra Lodge’s recovery.

“There has been an immense team effort by the Board and team at Binna Burra Lodge, the community and all levels of government, and an outpouring of support from loyal guests locally, nationally and internationally to band together and ensure our beloved Binna Burra Lodge could open its doors to keep welcoming guests for generations to come,” she said.

“The reopening of Binna Burra Lodge is cause for celebration, and I acknowledge that the road to healing is ongoing for the communities of Binna Burra and Beechmont, who will forever remember the bushfires of 2019.”

Cr Christensen said it had been a significant road to recovery.

“I acknowledge the incredible work of the Department of Transport and Main Roads in working since September 2019 to repair the severely damaged Binna Burra Road so Binna Burra Lodge could reopen, and guests could safely visit again,” he said.

“On behalf of Council, I thank the Australian and Queensland Governments for jointly funding the estimated $35 million Binna Burra Road reconstruction through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.”

Cr Christensen said Council had worked closely with Binna Burra Lodge.

“From the outset, Council played a key role in the Queensland Government’s Binna Burra Lodge Recovery Taskforce, including assisting with the displaced worker transition strategy through our Regional Skills Investment Project,” he said.

“We also strongly advocated for $1.67 million in Queensland Government funding for Binna Burra to develop a Via Ferrata – which will be Australia’s first permanent cliff climbing and adventure course attraction – and it is exiting to note that the Via Ferrata is expected to be finished by October 2021.

“I’m proud of the advocacy and support role we’ve been able to play as a relatively small but passionate and dedicated regional Council to help Binna Burra Lodge go from strength to strength after the bushfires caused such massive impacts to our region.”

Mr Noakes said the one-year anniversary marked a time of ongoing healing.

“It’s a time when thoughts and feelings about the devastating wildfires are reactivated and many of us may feel emotions more intensely than usual. Our Bushfire Gallery is designed to be part of the healing process as individuals find their own ways of coping with the memories,” he said.

Background:

The purpose of the Binna Burra Bushfire Gallery is to serve the public by enhancing understanding and reflection of the September 2019 bushfire at Binna Burra.

The Gallery is designed as a mobile facility. For an initial three months, it will be located at the Barn and, subject to other development project activities at Binna Burra, it may be moved to another location either on Binna Burra land or in a suitable local community facility.

The Barn at Binna Burra is one of the remaining heritage buildings which sustained some minor damage during the bushfires last year. The Barn has retained its pre-bushfire gable-roof and a skillion-roofed west verandah which still shows scars from the bushfires last year. Remnant machinery from the 1950s sawmill constructed for cutting firewood to heat water for the Lodge and the flying fox whim is located adjacent to the building and will be part of the Gallery’s internal and external exhibits.

Binna Burra Lodge is open for bookings: https://www.binnaburralodge.com.au