ALMOST five years after Binna Burra Lodge was destroyed by bushfire, the rebuild has begun.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick, Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen and Binna Burra Lodge Chairman Steve Noakes turned the first sod on Wednesday, February 20 to mark the occasion.
Binna Burra Lodge received $18 million from the Queensland Government under the Regional Tourism Recovery Program (RTRP) to support the reconstruction of the Lodge and 36 cabins lost in the 2019 bushfires.
During planning and construction, it is estimated 88 full-time jobs will be created, along with the creation of a further 70 ongoing full-time jobs.
The rebuild is expected to increase visitation by 25,000 overnight and 25,000 daytrip visitors per year.
The Binna Burra Tea House and other accommodation options such as six new Tiny Wild Houses opened in April 2023 will continue to operate throughout the rebuild.
Completion of the Binna Burra Lodge rebuild and cabins, to be constructed by locally sourced suppliers, is anticipated in 2025.
Steve Noakes described the funding as the most significant Binna Burra has received in its 90-year history.
“Without it, building a new lodge and accommodation on the Binna Burra Cultural Landscape could have been some decades away but now, this piece of Queensland’s heritage will be restored,” he said.
“As part of the pioneering ecotourism locations in Australia for almost 100 years, Binna Burra has introduced thousands of primary, secondary and tertiary education students and researchers, as well as the general public to the wonder of Queensland’s natural environment.
“Increased public awareness about Queensland’s rainforest biodiversity is critical to resourcing the effective management of this World Heritage location listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.”
