February 7, 2023
The free caravan camps at Wooroolin and Wondai have added an estimated $2.43 million to the South Burnett economy since 2018.
The figure, calculated using a formula developed from a 2008 Darling Downs study, was presented to South Burnett councillors at the Infrastructure, Environment and Compliance Standing Committee last Wednesday.
Cr Kathy Duff said that in 2022, 4996 overnight stays were recorded at the Wondai site, up from 2943 in 2019.
In August, there were 545 overnight stays.
Overnight stays at the Wooroolin site have been more variable: 2974 in 2018, dropping to 1525 during 2020 and back up to 2910 in 2022.
Counter numbers, with the exception of Kingaroy, were down on the South Burnett Rail Trail in 2022, compared with 2021.
Cr Duff said this was to be expected as there were a number of whole or partial closures of the Rail Trail due to flooding, the continued closure of the trail beyond Moondooner Road and poor weather during the peak tourism season.
“Even so the overall numbers are solid and represent a considerable return to local businesses and the health and wellbeing of local residents,” Cr Duff said.
“Peak months continue to be between March to September as expected.”
Kingaroy counter figures rose from 28,904 in 2021 to 34,446 in 2022.
