Queensland Government offers attractions, hospitality and tourism sectors land rent relief

The Queensland Government’s $2.55 million in rent waivers - as part of its ongoing COVID relief - aims to protect tourism resorts, hospitality providers and attractions from Mount Isa to the Gold Coast.

Queensland Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the $2.55 million in rent waivers brought further relief to 72 tourism businesses operating on state-owned land and islands and added “tourism is a vital employer and this industry a vital part of our COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

“These continued measures are another way to ensure the sector is ready to respond when the economy is back on its feet.”

“On average this will save them $35,000 each for the next six months.”

These tourism operators are a collection of resorts, hospitality and attractions located around regional Queensland including Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsundays, Mackay, Rockhampton, Fraser Coast, Gympie, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, and as far west as Mount Isa.

This latest waiver comes on top of $33.8 million in State land rent already waived as part of the Government’s $2.5 billion COVID relief to help support business during the global pandemic.

Dr Lynham added “with the shutdown of travel across the world, our tourism industry has been hit hard.

“While there’s been some level of recovery as Queenslanders begin to explore their own back yards, tourism businesses across the state are still doing it tough.

“Not having to pay land rent is one way we can continue to help them and keep Queenslanders in jobs.”

Tourism operators are expected to pass on the appropriate amount of land rent savings to sublessees. 

More information can be found here 

Image: Whitsunday's Hayman Island