Binna Burra to rise from the ashes through partnership with Griffith University

Griffith University and historic nature-based tourism provider, Binna Burra Lodge formed a strategic partnership focusing on the redevelopment of the iconic lodge following its destruction after the devastating Australian bushfires.

Griffith and Binna Burra signed a long-term memorandum of understanding to cement the partnership between both parties. This partnership will focus on the development, interpretation, and presentation of collaborative research and educational activities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Griffith University, Martin Betts commented on this partnership, “This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to support the rebuilding efforts of a much-loved attraction in what is an environmentally and culturally significant part of the world.”

Betts added that this partnership includes joint work on research projects, papers and studies, activities, and special events that encourage engagement and profile-specific disciplines. It will also involve work-integrated learning placements as well as practice-based field trips and projects, graduate work-placement programs and collaboration around partnership programmes.

Researchers from Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) have begun discussions with Binna Burra regarding its recovery. The team has also collected key findings from all tour operators that have also been affected by natural disasters.

According to the researchers, tour operators such as Binna Burra who have been affected by natural disasters would need to communicate the efforts being made for recovery to minimise the negative impacts.

Chair of the Board of Directors at Binna Burra Lodge, Steve Naokes said that the memorandum of understanding supported the lodge’s Support Research Programme.

Noakes added that Binna Burra will maintain its many partnerships with other universities as well as research and education institutions in and outside the country. He also added that due to the devastating fires that the area suffered, this new partnership with Griffith University, its’ Lead University Partner is an important strategic decision. This is as Griffith is the largest university in the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim region.

This programme has led and facilitated research into the natural, cultural and heritage aspects of the lodge and the surrounding areas listed as world heritage sites, including Lamington National Park.

Binna Burra is located within the Lamington National Park in the World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. Since its inception in 1933, Binna Burra has always had strong ties to the education and research activities of many universities.

It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as a place that is important in the course of Queensland’s natural and cultural history. For almost nine decades, it has been a significant base for a range of physical, biological and social science research and educational activities.