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Mayor calls on Government as bushfire damage threatens tourism, fears Wallangarra ‘abandoned’

The mayor of the Southern Downs has issued an urgent plea to the state government, saying one town in the region will ‘continue to suffer’ and ‘will disappear’ because of tourism woes.

A mayor has called out to the government, as a town in the Southern Downs region which heavily relies on tourism “will disappear” without urgent action.

Southern Downs mayor Vic Pennisi issued an urgent plea to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, in a letter obtained from the council’s meeting notes for January 17.

The mayor has said the village of Wallangarra, on the border with New South Wales, which heavily relies on tourism, particularly by rail, “will disappear”.

Mayor Vic Pennisi, Wallangarra. Picture: Liam Kidston
Mayor Vic Pennisi, Wallangarra. Picture: Liam Kidston

The railway line from Stanthorpe to Wallangarra was significantly damaged during the 2023 bushfires.

Mayor Pennisi said 20,000 plus hectares was burnt during the recent spate of fires, however the impact of the fires were more extended than just the fire-zone.

“(Wallangarra) did lose a crucial backbone and lifeblood for this small community, while the hey day for this line may have passed, this small community relies heavily on this line due to the tourism it creates around both the train travel and connection to Wallangarra,” Mr Pennisi wrote to Mr Mellish.

“I am concerned that if this line is not reinstated, the tourism that this town relies so heavily on will disappear.

Jason Kowald on the burnt out land next to his home in Wallangarra. Picture: Liam Kidston
Jason Kowald on the burnt out land next to his home in Wallangarra. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Pennisi said although there were some bigger issues for the government, for Wallangarra residents, there was nothing which was “none-more pressing”.

“Without this crucial economic investment, this community will continue to suffer, feel abandoned, and unfortunately, I am concerned the human and social impact that any delay or non-replacement of this line may have on this community’s spirit.”

Wallangarra was under siege from fires in October and November, 2023, thankfully, no one was killed during the blaze while one home was destroyed in the fire.

The department of Transport and Main Roads has been contacted for comment.

Updates to come.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/mayor-calls-on-government-as-bushfire-damage-threatens-tourism-fears-wallangarra-abandoned/news-story/419060974326f12f973a1b4e6cd42a71