- Reopen North Queensland | Tourism & Hospitality Economic Action Plan submitted to Premier and Chief Health Officer
- Formal submission follows positive meeting with the Premier, Scott Stewart MP and Regional Tourism Organisations on expanding the Outback travel and gathering bubble across North Queensland.
- Recommendations include: Increase gathering bubble from 20 pax to at least 50 pax from 5 June; Intrastate Travel from 12 June instead of 10 July; If health advice allows, select Interstate Travel from 10 July
- Chorus of strong North Queensland voices across the public and private sector key to potentially fast-tracking the North's economic recovery
- We are all motivated by the same goal to clearly articulate to government that the economic recovery of the north could not be cut from the same cloth as the south
Since March, Townsville Enterprise with a number of our local leaders have been strongly advocating for a faster, regionally based reopening strategy reflecting North Queensland's progress on the health crisis.
This was followed by receiving assurances in April from the State Government that they would consider that strategy, agreeing that a one size fits all didn’t suit Queensland. That's why we were pleased to have partnered with our neighbouring Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) and take feedback from industry to provide options to the State Government which would enable the beginning of the entire North Queensland tourism industry rebooting.
Yesterday we and our fellow RTOs representing the Mackay, Whitsundays, Cairns and Outback region had the opportunity to meet with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to table those proposed options for reopening North Queensland, increasing gathering restrictions and fast-tracking the reopening of the whole State.
It was a productive meeting to which the Premier noted her appreciation of the RTOs coming together to support the revival of the entire North Queensland tourism industry and welcomed the opportunity to review restrictions in a measured, safe and responsible manner across the Northern regions. Several Members of Parliament across the five regions were present, including Member for Townsville Scott Stewart. The proposal was well received and any changes to the current boundaries and restrictions could be announced as early as this Sunday.
Click HERE to view the Reopen North Queensland | Tourism and Hospitality Economic Action Plan
In the above submission provided to the Premier and Chief Health Officer, we've tabled several options that align with the government's phased reopening which will ease the economic strain on businesses in North Queensland sooner rather than later.
Option 1 outlined in the plan is the ideal scenario we are urging the government to consider. This option extends the Outback travel bubble across all regions north of Mackay with the same travel and gathering allowances of 50 persons from June 5, followed by whole of State reopening and select interstate travel. Increasing venue patronage allowances is just as important as increasing travel boundaries and this is a key component of the modifications we are recommending for North Queensland.
The disparity in population between the south and the north of the state cannot be emphasised enough. In a state the size of Queensland it's simply unrealistic to expect the same recovery measures that are appropriate for Toowong are appropriate for Townsville. Over 4 million people can support Brisbane and Gold Coast businesses within the Stage 2 250 kilometre radius, compared to North Queensland where less than 400,000 people live within twice that distance.
From the Chief Executive Officer... 
Across Outback and North Queensland, strong voices from the private and public sector are saying the same thing - it’s time to reopen North Queensland and get back to work.
We are all motivated by the same goal to clearly articulate to government that the economic recovery of the north could not be cut from the same cloth as the south. Whether it’s a bubble or a regional management zone, we all want to return to work as soon and as safely as possible and get our economy moving again.
Importantly, the Queensland Government and the Chief Health Officer are to be commended for ensuring Queensland's safety during the pandemic which does open up the opportunity for Queenslanders to travel within the state sooner than anticipated.
We have a firm focus on the recovery of the North and highlighting to the Queensland Government that minor modifications to the current road map will bring major benefits to businesses and our economy.
We look forward to updating you.
Patricia O'Callaghan
Chief Executive Officer
Townsville Enterprise
