TOURISM CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN UP AFTER OIL SPILL

Tourism Queensland will launch a high profile marketing campaign valued at $750,000 to help Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Fraser Coast tourism operators get back on their feet after the oil spill last week.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said a publicity campaign started today and three-week television and online campaign, due to air in Brisbane, Sydney and northern NSW from next Friday, would entice visitors back to the affected areas.

“This campaign will very clearly say we’re back in business, South East Queensland is still the place for your Easter holiday,” Mr Lucas said.

“While the clean up is continuing on the eastern side of Moreton Island, we’ve got beautiful beaches all along the Coast.

“Many tourism operators are already struggling in this tight economic climate and we need to help them by getting the positive message out there as quickly as we can.”

Mr Lucas said major components of the campaign include:

• Television;
• Online;
• Radio;
• Targeted newsletter distributed to 400,000 people; and
• trade communications.

Mr Lucas announced that the following areas were now open for tourism:

Moreton Bay and Moreton Island
- 40% of oil affected areas now clean.
- 40 km of coast was affected, 6km has been hand cleaned and at least 10 km washed 
  clean by nature.
- Flinders Reef is open for diving.
- The western side of Moreton Island from Tangalooma Wrecks to the north of Cape
  Moreton will be open from tomorrow for licensed operators only.
- There will be no access to Bulwer Blue Lagoon Rd East of the Five Hills turnoff; Middle 
  Rd; Eastern Beach south of Cape Moreton to Kooringal; and from Kooringal north to
  Tangalooma Wrecks on the western side, including the Tangalooma Bypass Rd to
  Middle Rd.
- All operators will be required to check in with police on the island on a daily basis.

Sunshine Coast
- Most areas affected by the oil spill are already cleared up and 14 of the Sunshine Coast’s 19
  patrolled swimming beaches are clean and open.
- It is hoped that more beaches will be reopened by the weekend.

Bribie Island
- Cleanup is now 95% complete.
- The swimming beach at Woorim has remained open throughout.

"We’re hoping to really break the back of this clean up over the next week or so and the open for business sign is up for Easter,” said Mr Lucas.

The State Government and Tourism Queensland is developing this campaign in partnership with Tourism Sunshine Coast, Brisbane Marketing and Fraser Coast Tourism.

“Tourism Queensland and the regional tourism organisations are also working on immediate communication activities targeting radio and television programs, travel wholesalers and retailers and online communications,” said Mr Lucas.

“We already have a $1.3million ‘Queensland’s Bonus Breaks Campaign’ underway interstate and we will be pulling out all stops to assist the tourism industry affected by oil spill.”

Tourism Sunshine Coast CEO, Russell Mason said the campaign was timely with the Sunshine Coast gearing up for a strong Easter season.

“The majority of Sunshine Coast beaches are in good condition and we are going full steam ahead with significant events such as the Noosa Festival of Surfing and the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival,” he said.

“We are very supportive of Tourism Queensland’s campaign which will no doubt generate a significant boost to our industry and support individual operators through this next phase of recovery.”

Brisbane Marketing CEO, John Aitken said the tourism bodies were working together on both short and long-term marketing and communication strategies to mitigate the negative perceptions of the Moreton Bay oil spill.

“Our short-term tactical activities will focus on communicating to residents and tourists that the majority of the region remains untouched and in pristine condition, is operating as usual and remains a beautiful leisure destination choice for domestic and international visitors alike,” he said.

Media Contact: Matthew Klar 0437 435 223