Hostel owner airs fire threat fears
Posted
A Bundaberg hostel owner says he thinks there is more than 20 illegal hostels in the region that are not complying with fire safety standards.
John Walker runs a hostel for tourists and backpackers who visit the Bundaberg region, in south-east Queensland, to work on farms.
He says he gave the list of suspected sites to the Bundaberg Regional Council about two weeks ago.
"These places are typically what's causing Bundaberg to have a bad reputation among backpackers," he said.
"There's vermin of all sorts, I've even heard complaints from people about possums and things like that sharing the accommodation with people when they come down to eat and some of these animals can be quite savage.
"There's problems with food being contaminated and general hygiene levels are quite horrific."
Mr Walker says he does not want to see a repeat of the Childers hostel fire in 2000 which killed 15 backpackers.
The chief executive officer of the Bundaberg Regional Council, Peter Byrne, says their claims will be investigated, but they are hard to prove.
"We will investigate every one of those then we will follow through with the appropriate action if required," he said.
He says one illegal hostel was closed down earlier this year.
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