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Valuations released
First of Festival’s new faces
The Queensland Government this week released the latest round of land valuations for a range of councils across the Sunshine State, including our local Southern Downs Regional Council area. The figures - which represent ‘bare’ or unimproved land values - are used by councils as the basis for calculating annual general rates charges. Story page 9
Congratulations this week to Amy Colyer, who has been named the first ‘Young Ambassador’ for the 2022 Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, taking part on behalf of local business Granite Belt Cleaning and Hospitality. The Ambassador program allows local young people not only to promote the region’s biggest community celebration but also to learn more about the region they call home, and to further develop their skills and confidence. Story page 3
Stanthorpe to welcome new brewery A new micro-brewery and distillery is coming to town. Southern Downs Regional Council has approved plans for a Maryland Street property to be turned into a restaurant and brewery, despite public concerns about potential noise and odour issues. The development will also see a beer garden, tasting area and outdoor dining area included at the site. Story page 6
Covid-free Easter By Jess Baker This year’s Easter could very nearly have been a repeat of last year’s for Granite Belt accommodation providers, with Greater Brisbane’s lockdown restrictions lifted just in time for the long weekend. Tourism operators across Queensland watched on last week as State Premier An-
nastacia Palaszczuk announced Brisbane would enter a three-day lockdown from Monday 29 March to Thursday 1 April. Martin Cooper of the Granite Belt’s Ridgemill Estate, president of Granite Belt Wine Tourism, said his operation would have lost 75 percent of its bookings if the lockdown had been extended into the weekend. “From Tuesday to Thursday (last week), we
lost two cabin bookings and two groups that were coming for tasting,” he said. “The impact of the lockdown has been pretty minimal.” Mr Cooper said business this time last year was “horrendous” for Ridgemill Estate - with occupancy down 82 percent in April and 77 percent in May - but picked up dramatically when Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in June.
“It’s been the biggest year on record for us in both cabin accommodation and wine sales,” he said. Other Granite Belt accommodation providers reported similar “negligible” losses over the Greater Brisbane lockdown period and zero cancellations over the Easter long weekend. Full story page 3
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