STRADBROKE campsite operator Minjerribah Camping is preparing for an influx of domestic tourists when the island is re-opened, with upgrades underway and the company opening bookings from August onwards.
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It comes after the announcement that Queensland travel restrictions would be relaxed, but North Stradbroke, Fraser and Moreton islands would still be off-limits to non-residents for the time being.
A Minjerribah Camping spokesman said future bookings were subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
"If there are further announcements from government in relation to extending closures, campers will be given the option of a credit on their account with extended validity, date amendment free of charge or a full refund if the booking is within the closure period," a spokesman said.
With the island's tourism industry hit hard by the travel restrictions, Minjerribah Camping has been forced to stand a number of staff down and revert others to part-time.
Other staff have been working on improvements, maintenance and upgrades.
Work is underway at Flinders, Main and Cylinder beaches, and Bradbury's Beach glamping is being finalised.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said tough decisions had been made to ensure Minjerribah Camping was well-equipped for when restrictions are lifted.
"The foreseeable future of tourism is going to be the domestic market and we're well placed to bounce back. Our visitors were already primarily locals and we expect that will only increase in the current climate," he said.
QYAC employees have also created the QYAC Care Army, which will be providing support to 30 Quandamooka elders living on the island.
The Care Army will also operate the Yarabin Café from 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to provide free coffee and ANZAC biscuits specifically for health care workers on the island.
The cafe remains closed to the general public.
About 20 trainees who were undertaking hospitality courses through Minjerribah Ganaba and Skilling Queensland have been redeployed to land management and studies in heritage assessment.
On Moreton Island, camping staff are undertaking cultural heritage surveys and assessments.
Scheduled burn and work on fire trails as part of fire management activities on Minjerribah have also begun ahead of schedule.
Mr Costello said the aim was to ensure Minjerribah Camping was employing people again as quickly as possible when restrictions lifted.
"We can be much more than a collection of campgrounds, with an increased focus on education and conservation," he said.
"Quandamooka Country is unique for fauna, large marine animals, Indigenous culture, our early European settlement history and an extraordinary natural environment, so we are using this time to ensure we are ready to make the most of the recovery when it comes."
