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| Kangaroos Australian OutbackImage by DJ Ludlow from Pixabay
Outback Tourism Events fund $3 million grants
The Palaszczuk Government's new $3 million grants scheme to help fund new or existing events, attractions and festivals right across the Outback and Queensland’s regions has been rushed.
The Year of Outback Tourism Events assessment panel is now sorting through 73 applications received for the first round of grants of up to a $100,000.
Total funding applied for is $4.05 million, with the average request at $56,335.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she is delighted by the wide variety and imaginative scope of the ventures seeking backing.
“They involve so much fun at far-flung events in all corners of our state and are a welcome boost for local economies.
“It proves once again, so many Queenslanders have great, innovative ideas for new tourist and visitor ventures, and possess that all-important entrepreneurial drive to succeed.
“Some of the unique events being considered to include an outback, food wine and music festival and space odyssey experience, large Trailblazing the West artworks commissioned for 10 towns and promotions relating to cultural and indigenous tourism.
“These brand-new ventures and events will help throw out the biggest welcome mat the Outback and the regions have ever had,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
All successful applicants for the first round of grants will be notified next month.
Another round of funding from the Premier's the Year of Outback Tourism scheme is scheduled to open in June.
"We are delivering the infrastructure and major events needed to grow this industry. The Year of Outback Tourism campaign is about selling these experiences.
“I’m confident the calibre of the new ventures we will help fund will become very popular, permanent fixtures on the must-do list of great events in the west and regional Queensland.
“Working with locals on a strategy in this way will ensure tourism numbers continue to grow in the years to come and create more sustainable jobs for people in the Outback,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
More tourists than ever before are touring Outback Queensland and for the first time, Queensland could crack one million visitors in 2019 – that is more than 13 per cent growth year-on-year.
The tourism sector there is worth more than $350 million and supports 3700 jobs.
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