MINISTER for Tourism and Major Events and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announced $100 million would be available for new tourism projects across rural and regional NSW, with round two of the NSW Government’s $300 million Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund now open.
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Mr Marshall is encouraging local councils and tourism operators to apply for the funds and said of the $100 million, up to $50 million would be available for regionally iconic tourism activation projects, costing over $5 million.
“We want to see country NSW’s big tourism projects now,” Mr Marshall said.
“Projects that will help to enliven and kick-start the engine of local economies, attracting tourists while showcasing the impressive environmental assets our regions have to offer.
“When people come to our rural and regional towns to visit tourist attractions, they stay in local accommodation, they buy from local shops and visit local eateries and cafes.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of many country communities, attracting domestic and international visitors, creating new jobs and making our regional communities even better places to live.
“With the drought biting hard right across the State, there’s no better time to invest in tourism in regional areas, to attract more visitors and their dollars into our local economies.”
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Mr Marshall said the remaining $50 million would be available for eligible applicants who had strong projects but were unsuccessful at the Expression of Interest stage in round one earlier this year.
“Our communities are full of brilliant ideas and opportunities, unfortunately the first time around they couldn’t all be funded,” Mr Marshall said.
“I want to reassure those who missed out the first time, specifically during the Expression of Interest phase, if you have a great, viable case we’re giving you another chance to get your project funded.”
Mr Marshall said $142 million had already been committed from round one for 32 projects from right across the State.
“Locally, two projects worth around $4 million at Bingara and Saumarez Homestead, near Armidale, were funded and are about to commence,” he said.
“These will be huge drawcards for visitors to our region, filling our hotels, cafes, restaurants and boutiques, putting more tourist dollars in the pockets of local businesspeople.”
“The government is committed to supporting the growth of our State’s tourism sector so that every part of NSW reaps the growing benefits.”
The Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to the delivery of infrastructure projects which improve the productivity and competitiveness of the state under Restart NSW.
Applications for round two are now open and close on 21 September 2018.
For more information, and to apply, visit www.nsw.gov.au/regional-growth-environment-and-tourism-fund/
