MCKINLAY Shire Council has been rewarded for its contribution to outback tourism, taking out the Local Government Award for Tourism at the 2014 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards in Charleville on the weekend.
During the 2013-2014 assessment period McKinlay Shire Council created many new initiatives and completed major capital works projects that will build and strengthen the industry in our region.
Projects included the RV Friendly Camp Host Program and Cruiser Bikes, the Julia Creek Caravan Park Bush Dinners, employment of a McKinlay township based Tourism Officer, local business tourism collaboration, refurbishment and re-opening of the Duncan McIntyre Museum, and bitumen sealing of the road connecting Kynuna and Julia Creek in conjunction with DTMR.
McKinlay Shire Council Mayor Cr Belinda Murphy and Tourism Coordinator Georgia Fleming accepted the award.
Mayor Belinda Murphy said it was a wonderful achievement by councillors and staff.
“Councillors have been very proactive and supportive of new initiatives in tourism not just to spread the message of how great a holiday in the outback is but importantly the recognised economic benefits that are brought to local businesses in Julia Creek, Kynuna and McKinlay during tougher than normal times,” Cr Murphy said.
“Tourism plays a huge part in driving the economy of the North West region and although we don’t have what would be traditionally called “tourism operators” in our shire we have around 22 shop front businesses, great events and a community that understands we are all actually in tourism,” she said.
Council is also an active member of the North West Outback Queensland Tourism Authority (Overlander’s Way), who took out the award for Tourism Marketing.
