Community mourns deadly backpacker hostel inferno 20 years on

It's been 20 years since one of Queensland's worst arson attacks and today, commemorations took place to remember the 15 people killed in the inferno.

Bundaberg council representatives laid wreaths on behalf of the community at the Palace Backpackers Hostel memorial after plans for a ceremony had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Many survivors even planned to travel to Childers to mark the day.

OPINION: Backpacker arson killer belongs behind bars

Instead, they wrote letters thanking the Childers community, which were read aloud by fire survivor Sarah Mahony, who'd travelled from the Sunshine Coast to pay her respects.

"No thank you will ever be enough, or come close to conveying our love and gratitude for you all," she read.

"All the survivors, they wanted to be here ...  so I'm here to say thanks to the town and thank you to all the people who helped us in our time of need."

But the anniversary was overshadowed by the sobering thought the arsonist responsible for the fire could soon walk free, with an application for parole now before the board.

Robert Paul Long was convicted of two murders after the blaze and sentenced to a non-parole period of 20 years.

"Our message from this community is long and loud to the parole board," former mayor Bill Trevor said.

"Never let the bastard out - throw away the key."

Impact statements from the victims and their families have been delivered to the board in Brisbane.

Meanwhile proper ceremony is being planned, which is likely to take place next year.