QORF eNews June 2020
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Hi there,
We are very pleased to announce that the COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Recreation Activity Providers has been approved and the COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Education Providers should be completely finalised in the next few days. This is great news as it means that organisations across the outdoor sector can get back to work.(see below).
Please note that due to a misunderstanding we published an incomplete version of the Education plan on our website last weekend - this version has now been removed and will be replaced with a link to the completed version on the Government's Approved COVID Industry Plans page when available. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
Following the Premier's announcement earlier in the week on the easing of restrictions, we are now working closely with Sport & Recreation to develop updates to both COVID Safe Plans.
In addition, the Queensland Government has opened up Round 2 of the Small Business Adaption Grants with a special allocation for regional business.
Outdoor Sector Industry COVID SAFE Plans
QORF/Outdoors Queensland, working closely with representatives of the Queensland outdoor sector and the State Government, has developed two new COVID Safe Plans that provide guidance for outdoor organisations on their road back to operation post COVID-19. The two new plans:
- COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Recreation Activity Providers
- COVID Safe Plan for Outdoor Education Providers (coming soon)
are accessible for all organisations in Queensland outdoor sector to consider (regardless of membership of an industry peak body such as QORF). An organisation can choose whether or not to opt-in to a COVID Safe Plan. If an organisation chooses not to opt-in, it can continue to operate under the conditions of the applicable stage of the Roadmap and as per the relevant Chief Health Officer public health directions.
See Implementation for information on how best to implement your new COVID Safe Plan for your organisation
For more COVID-19 news and updates go to COVID-19 Information & Resources - our online support resources for the outdoor sector. These include
- Latest News and Updates
- COVID Safe Plans
- Good News Stories
- About COVID-19
- Protecting Yourself and Others
- Info for business operators
- Working from Home
- QORF’s Response
- Getting Outdoors
- Memes
- Useful Links & Resources
Read on for more news, events and outdoor info ...
QORF is hosting a regular online chat session for the outdoor sector on Friday mornings at 11:00 am. A chance to talk and to get together with others in the outdoors. We'll share with you what we know and what we are doing - and you can share your concerns, ideas and solutions. REGISTER
Nominations for the 2020 Outdoors Queensland Awards are now OPEN. Although we don’t know whether we will be able to hold the annual Awards Dinner, we intend to acknowledge the terrific things people have done in the outdoors throughout the year. So who you will nominate. Learn More
Think outside! is a new campaign from QPWS encouraging Queenslanders to venture into Queensland’s parks and forests with friends and family to enjoy active outdoor experiences, such as walking, hiking, mountain-biking, kayaking, canoeing, and camping.
Learn More
Are you currently enrolled in Tertiary Education (or know someone who is?) and ride a bicycle for recreation, transport or just for fun? Share your thoughts on cycling in a quick 5 min survey. There are 5 entries in the upcoming Pedal Queensland event and 5 x Bicycle Queensland gift packs up for grabs (yes please!). Interested?
Take the survey now to win! 🚴♀
Digital Technology Survey
Dave Hills (Sunshine Coast University) is investigating the inclusion and exclusion of digital technology in outdoor education and is looking for outdoor educators to complete a short 5 minute multi choice SURVEY on the topic.
Future of the Outdoor Industry Survey
Seeking to understand the impacts of the 2019-2020 bushfires, COVID-19 and climate change as well as charting possible paths to recovery and future thriving ... learn more/do survey
Small Business Adaption Grants
Round 2 opening 1 July 2020.
The Queensland Government is extending the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program. Half of this funding earmarked for regional small businesses located outside SEQ.
Read More
Queensland Walking Alliance
Queensland Walks launched the Queensland Walking Alliance on MaY 6 to get more people walking everyday by providing a central voice for walking with a focused approach to improving the walkability of Queensland. Read More
Active Streets
The Heart Foundation has published a position snapshot document calling on local government to ensure all Australians have safe streets for walking and cycling by allocating space for people walking and cycling, reducing vehicle speeds on local neighbourhood streets and automating street crossings. Read More
Paddling the river of mirrors
The upper reaches of the Noosa River (located in Cooloola Recreation Area, of the Great Sandy national park) are a rarely visited gem, accessible only by canoe
or electric motor boats and offers a level of seclusion that’s hard to find, even in a country as vast as Australia.
Read More
Adventure tourism operators shutting down amid insurance refusals
Brokers say such coverage is becoming "financially unviable". Unable to access insurance, several long-running adventure tourism businesses have shut up shop and fear their sector is in jeopardy. Read More
Google Trekker comes to Queensland National Parks
Queensland National Parks has teamed up with Google to bring the outdoors inside! Virtual travellers - from anywhere in the world - can explore some of
our most-loved national parks … from the comfort of their own homes.
Read More
What's On
The online calendar of What's On Activities, Events, Training & Workshops
If you have an event, public training opportunity, open day, adventure race, workshop or conference coming up soon, lets us know by Submitting Your Event and we will promote it in the What's On calendar.
Coming Events
Events coming up this month include: Coffee & Conversation, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Canoe Leader Training Course on July 24-26 July; World Ranger Day on July 31.Lots of 'weird days' this month and this is Plastic Free July too!
Pedal Queensland
Need extra motivation to keep moving this winter? Whether you are a regular cyclist or, like the thousands of people across the country who have hopped back on their bikes for the first time in years, Pedal Queensland is a challenge event like no other ... learn more
For Hire:
Do you have equipment for hire, spaces to let out for meetings, training or activities? Let us know and we'll add it to the For Hire page on the website.
Email industry@qorf.org.au
New Online Resources
Inside the Outhaus (online forum of educators), Apps for Outdoors: CamperX and Map.me, Fossicking, Knot:
Water Bowline and go to the HOME page for more recent updates
New Green Circle Member
Welcome aboard to new members David Chitty, Heart Foundation Walking, Bicycle QLD, Kirk Manwaring and Robert Campbell.
Go to the Membership section to become a QORF Green Circle Member today. New members will be acknowledged here, on the QORF home page and on our social media platforms. As a new member you will have a choice to make – sit back and hope things work out, or – much better – get involved! Learn more about Getting Involved and Making Connections
Please note that QORF is currently transitioning to Outdoors Queensland. Over the coming months, you will see more and more of the new logo and other changes as we move into our new look and new structure. Watch this space!
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