Damage to the historic Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast hinterland has been described as “quite extreme” by Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen.

As the bushfire emergency continues in the hinterland, flames fanned by strong winds caused extensive damage to the resort site, destroying the heritage-listed wooden lodge building that had stood since the 1930s.

Aerial footage of the heritage-listed accommodation showed both its wooden cabins and its new Sky Lodge apartments had also been affected.

“The level of damage at Binna Burra resort is quite extreme,” Councillor Christensen said on Sunday afternoon.

“The lodge has been fully destroyed.

“The majority of the commercial assets — the accommodation, the units, the restaurant and so forth have — also all been destroyed and there will be a significant recovery effort.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Kevin Walsh said access had hindered the ability of fire crews to save the site.

“The main problem with the lodge is that there was only one road in and one road out,” he said.

Binna Burra Lodge chairman Steven Noakes fought back tears as he described the damage.

“It’s a dark day in the 86-year history of Binna Burra,” Mr Noakes said.

“[Fires] have destroyed much of the heritage building facilities and some of our more contemporary buildings also.”

Source
ABC News