North West ready to welcome back Queensland travellers

Camping out and catching a barra, digging for dinosaur bones, visiting relatives across the North West and more, are all back on the cards for Queenslanders with further relaxing of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Mayors from the councils of North West Queensland have welcomed the latest announcement by the Premier, which has lifted restrictions on Queenslanders travelling within the state including overnight stays, from 1 June.

Mayor Jack Bawden, Chair of North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils said the North West region, together with Outback counterparts across the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils have been focused on ensuring their region remained COVID-19 free, while minimising impacts to communities and business. 

“I’m pleased to say that to date, this has been the case and we thank the Queensland Government for backing us in making sure that we were able to stay free of COVID-19,” Mayor Bawden said. 

“And our thanks to our communities for sticking with restrictions. They weren’t always popular but have proved to be a key part of our success. 

“By sticking with a coordinated plan from the get-go with a united message from the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils, we’re now able to roll out the welcome mat sooner than expected,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to business, including hosting tourists and workers from across our state.

“With the mid-year school holidays around the corner, this will help deliver a real boost to our towns and tourism operators, which goes a long way not just into the tills but the mental health of everyone.

“Our NWQROC board meetings have been held by video conference in recent months, and we can now go ahead with hosting our July meeting as planned in Mount Isa. 

“Similar opportunities will now be on the table for businesses and government organisations in-region to be able to do the same which is great news.

“We look forward to continuing on the road to recovery and welcoming our mates across the border in the future – we’ll be sure to keep a few barra for them.” 

Read the Queensland Government's full statement. 

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Contact:

Greg Hoffman PSM | 0418 756 005 | nwqroc@carpentaria.qld.gov.au