Community & Business
11 October, 2026
Welcoming guests during drought
Councils seeking tourism support
Councils on both sides of the border are concerned about how the drought will impact tourism. Tenterfield councillors are considering signage on main roads and in accommodation to advise visitors to watch water usage as they devise a more thorough policy.
In the Southern Downs, where tourism is a major factor of the region’s economic health, the tourism industry is seeking urgent Queensland support as drought threatens to compound the financial pressures facing farmers, tourism operators and businesses.
Cr Russell Wantling pointed to the Driving Southern Downs Tourism through Drought advocacy document in the last ordinary meeting of council.
The document reveals that council, in conjunction with Granite Belt Wine & Tourism and Queensland Country Tourism are calling for a package of assistance for drought-affected tourism and agritourism businesses, along with $380,000 to fund a coordinated campaign to keep visitors coming to the region.
The proposal argues tourism and agriculture cannot be treated as separate industries on the Granite Belt, where wineries, orchards, farms, food producers, accommodation providers, restaurants and tourism operators are closely linked.
Tourism generated $297.1 million in sales across the Southern Downs in 2024/25, with the region recording an average 1.46 million visitor nights annually over the past five years.
The region also attracts an average 528,000 day trips each year from South-East Queensland, while tourism supports just over 1500 jobs — about nine per cent of total employment.
The stakes are particularly high for Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt, which has been named Queensland's 2026 Top Tourism Town and is due to represent the state at the national awards.
The submission warns drought-related concerns about water security could undermine that opportunity if visitors gain the impression the region cannot provide its usual tourism experience.
During the previous drought, Stanthorpe became the first Queensland urban community to require water to be transported by road for its town supply, attracting extensive media attention. The tourism industry says that experience contributed to visitor uncertainty, despite businesses remaining open.
The latest proposal argues the region needs to acknowledge the drought while making clear visitors remain welcome and that tourism spending can help support drought-affected communities.
For Granite Belt producers, tourism is also an important source of direct income.
Visitors spend money at cellar doors, farm gates, orchards, wineries, restaurants and agricultural events, while some producers offer accommodation, tours and pick-your-own experiences.
The groups are seeking assistance including rebates or subsidies for commercial water purchases and transport, water-efficiency grants, relief from selected government fees, concessional working-capital finance and support for businesses caring for animals involved in visitor experiences.
Business and financial counselling and clearer eligibility for enterprises combining primary production with tourism are also proposed.
The submission also calls for $380,000 for three coordinated campaigns targeting visitors, the local community and tourism operators.
A community campaign would explain how visitor spending supports local jobs, farms, wineries, accommodation, hospitality, retailers and events, while highlighting the water-saving measures being taken by tourism businesses.
An industry communications toolkit would provide operators with consistent drought and water-wise messaging, social media material, signage, website content and guidance for dealing with visitors and the media.
The proposal says the campaign should avoid defensive messaging and instead show visitors that travelling to the region remains practical while directly supporting drought-affected businesses and communities.
The three organisations are seeking an urgent meeting with the Queensland Government to discuss drought assistance, funding and campaign arrangements.
