While you may not be able to get a showbag this year, you can start packing your travel bags with the People’s Long Weekend officially endorsed.
With many local shows around the state cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many local councils have taken the opportunity to move their Show Holidays.
The Palaszczuk Government today passed legislation to make Friday August 14 a new public holiday for people living in Brisbane, Weipa, Rockhampton, Livingstone, Mackay, Gold Coast, Logan, Burdekin, Charters Towers, Cloncurry and Whitsunday (for the Bowen area only) council areas.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said when they’re turned into long weekends, public holidays generate millions of dollars for local businesses.
“Tourism operators and small businesses need all the help they can get right now,” Ms Jones said.
“It makes sense, where possible, to create as many long weekends as we can to stimulate our economy and keep locals in jobs.”
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said while she will miss the Ekka this year, the long weekend is a great opportunity to get out and support our wonderful tourism and small business sectors.
“We’ve received a lot of feedback from local councils about changing their Show Holidays and we have been more than happy to approve these requests,” she said.
“By moving the Show Holiday to a long weekend, it will no doubt give locals the chance for a mini-break and our tourism industry a much-needed boost.
“We’re urging Queensland families to take advantage of the change – get out of the house and support local businesses now that intrastate travel is unrestricted.
“I want to thank the support of the RNA through this process and look forward to the Ekka and the traditional People’s Day Holiday returning in 2021.”
Those local government areas that did not request to change their Show Holiday to August 14 will keep their existing date.
