Thursday, 22 March 2018
I rise to speak about tourism in my electorate of Southern Downs. It is a very important topic for us indeed. I am always very happy to give a plug to the small businesses that run the tourism industry in Southern Downs because they work very hard, they employ people and without any certain outcome they invest to create prosperity and jobs. It is impossible to mention all of them in one speech, but I will give some examples.
As I said in my first speech, my electorate is a terrific place with wonderful communities and a unique and remarkable landscape. It comprises the areas of the Goondiwindi and Southern Downs regional councils and parts of the Toowoomba Regional Council. With such a large area covered, anyone who comes to Southern Downs can be assured of a varied and enjoyable experience, particularly if they are keen to get away from the city and spend some time in the country.
In the west around Goondiwindi visitors can enjoy a tour with Goondiwindi Cotton of the town and the nearby cotton industry, sample the fare at Inglewood olive grove or perhaps go on a bush tucker tour with Cheryl Moggs. Afterwards, dinner at the Townhouse restaurant and a stay at the Border Motel is a great way to end the day.
Up in Millmerran visitors can go to the outstanding Millmerran historical association museum. I have been there myself and it is a treat to go to. This year on 6 and 7 October the Australian Camp Oven Festival will be held in Millmerran, which I will definitely be pleased to attend.
The Granite Belt is well known for its fine food and myriad wineries. People can go for a day to Girraween National Park and stop off at Just Red Wines, Jamworks Gourmet Foods or Sutton’s Farm juice factory and cidery at Thulimbah. A dinner at the McGregor Terrace Food Project or O’Mara’s pub or the Barrel Room Restaurant at Ballandean is also a great way to fill one’s stomach. People could stop off afterwards at Grovely House Bed and Breakfast, 31 The Rocks or Alure Stanthorpe.
In Warwick the Jumpers and Jazz festival in July attracts thousands of people every year. People can catch a ride with the Southern Downs Steam Railway, admire Killarney’s spectacular Queen Mary Falls and try fishing on the Condamine River or Leslie Dam. They are both very well stocked thanks to the amateur fishermen in Warwick. People could have dinner at Clippers restaurant and retire to the tranquillity of R on the Downs at Swanfels.
I am very proud to represent an electorate with so many innovative and hardworking tourism businesses. I encourage everyone to come to Southern Downs and experience what we have to offer. I will do all I can in this place to advance the interests of the tourism industry and the people who work in it.