CLONCURRY’S local economy gains yet another benefit besides the C150 week with the Outback Queensland Tourism Awards next month.
Local shops and pub owners were “ecstatic” for the awards to be held across three days in early November.
“Having a reason to attract another 300 people to town is something the council should facilitate,” Cloncurry mayor Greg Campbell said.
“Leading into Christmas is generally a quieter time for them (shops) so having another three to four days where they are all booked out is a real bonus for them.”
The week celebrating 150 years since Cloncurry’s foundation held in September had already been a boost, according to the mayor.
He said after the C150 celebrations that accommodation had been booked out leading to the week.
“We were expecting plenty of people but it smashed everyone’s expectations,” he said.
The advantage with having the C150 and hosting the outback tourism awards close together was the preparations the council’s workforce had completed to make the town most presentable.
“(What) the outside workforce has been doing getting the town ready will flow over,” Cr Campbell said.
“We are already on the front foot essentially for the tourism awards. They have been focusing on C150 especially the last month leading to the event.
“They will shift their focus to the tourism awards.”
The mayor said that hosting the awards was symbolic to the council, which wants to focus more on the revenue that tourism brings.
“It’s almost like drawing a line in the sand,” Cr Campbell said. “We are embracing tourism from now on.”
The tourism awards will be held between November 2 and 4 during which events including a business development workshop, meet and greets, the Outback Queensland annual general meeting, and kayaking at Chinaman Creek Dam.
The feature event is the awards gala dinner held from 6pm until late at the Cloncurry Shire Hall on Saturday, November 4. It includes a three course meal and live entertainment.