Gold Coasters urged not to abandon the hinterland in the wake of fires

Hinterland businesses were devastated by the fires last week. Now political leaders have one message for the Gold Coast: ‘Don’t abandon the Hinterland.’

POLITICAL leaders are pleading with tourists and visitors to not abandon the fire-ravaged Gold Coast Hinterland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this morning announced plans for a post-disaster tourism campaign highlighting the Hinterland’s assets amid fears of a devastating downturn in the wake of the fires, which destroyed the iconic Binna Burra Lodge.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Hinterland would rise from the ashes.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk inspects the devastating fires in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Picture: Andrew Potts

“I will task Minister (Cameron) Dick and Minister (Kate) Jones to look at a post-recovery tourism campaign because the best way people can show their support is to come back here.

“This is a beautiful community and we need to show our support.”

On Wednesday this week there will be a meeting to help locals who have lost their jobs at Binna Burra.

“If you are a local employer who can put on someone from Binna Burra until it is rebuilt you will have a very grateful community,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christianson said the Hinterland region would carry on but called on people to return.

“One of the sad side-effects is that some people think the whole region has burned. We area massive region,” he said.

A wheelie-bin damaged by the devastating fires in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Picture: Andrew Potts

“This is a 6000 ha scar which is hurting us deeply but O’Reilly’s and Tamborine are open.

“The best way people can help us is to keep coming and embrace our community. You will experience something which will lift your life.

“This is the beginning of a long, hot season but this community will stand firm.”

But locals have told the premier that some homeowners who lost their properties to the fires are planning against returning.

Ms Palaszczuk said the decisions of those affected needed to be respected.

The Premier and emergency services leaders toured Timbara Drive at Beechmont where 11 houses were lost.

The burnt-out shells of houses were seen, where the fire was so intense that heavy metal items had been reduced to molten slag.

Melted rubbish bins and the shattered remains of sheds were all that remained of other properties.

Ms Palaszczuk warned that fire conditions were expected to worsen on Tuesday.

“Conditions are going to change on Tuesday and Wednesday and we need to be ready for that,” she said.

“The winds are going to pick up, it will be dry across half of the state and we are seeing temperatures which are between five and eight degrees higher than this time of year.

“There is no rain on the horizon.”