Light to shine brighter for Boulia’s Min Min lights

Boulia’s iconic Min Min lights will shine brighter thanks to funding from the Palaszczuk Government to renovate the façade of tourist attraction’s heritage building including essential disability access upgrades. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the $477,000 investment was part of the government’s new flagship Queensland Jobs Fund.

“Over the years, travellers have witnessed the mysterious lights, described as floating balls of colour glowing in the outback night” Mr Miles said.

“The Palaszczuk Government wants the rest of the nation and, when international travel opens up again, the world to experience this phenomenon.

“That is why we have contributed funding of $477,000 to renovate the iconic Min Min Encounter building.

“The upgrades will have a significant impact on the quality of Boulia’s tourism offering and economic recovery, and the region’s tourism.

“It’s projects like this that are creating jobs, including supporting 19 local jobs in construction.

“Queensland is good to go.”

The catalytic infrastructure project is funded through the Building Acceleration Fund, part of the new $3.34 billion Queensland Jobs Fund.

Owned and operated by Boulia Shire Council since 2000 the Encounter is a unique animatronics and theatrical experience based around the famed Min Min light phenomenon. Boulia Shire Council will contribute $52,000 to the total project cost of $529,000.

Mayor Eric (Rick) Britton said Council is focussed on planning for and providing infrastructure to support existing needs.

“The current design of the Encounter and tourist information centre is not accessible to all patrons and the façade needs to be modernised to match the high-tech brilliance of the tourism experience,” Mr Britton said.

Boulia is home to the famous camel races, an annual event that has historically attracted over 7000 people.

“The Min Min Encounter and Heritage Complex is the hook that invites tourist to stay another day.

“Investing in this catalytic project will have a significant impact on our community, our tourism offering, local supply chain, and create jobs for the region.”

Council will ultimately own and take responsibility for ongoing operation, maintenance and replacement costs associated with the infrastructure.

Preliminary works to upgrade the technology are already underway. Works on the façade will begin in October and be completed by the end of the year.

For more information about the Min Min Encounter visit Min Min Encounter Visitor Information Centre – Boulia Shire Council

ENDS

Media contact:           Amy Hunter – 0423 651 484