Queensland’s Fire and Emergency Service has warned illegal backpacker accommodation providers are a growing problem in the state.
Laws were strengthened to ensure all commercial properties met more stringent rules after 15 backpackers died in the Childers hostel fire tragedy almost 15 years ago.
But the fire service’s community safety manager Craig Lovell says there are growing numbers of caravans being rented to backpackers and these are not covered under the laws.
“Legislation was changed to extend to backpacker accommodation in buildings, but that doesn’t extend to caravans through this current legislation,” he said.