- Miles Labor Government investment supports new bush tourism infrastructure, to grow regional visitation
- Program backed by $10 million, allocated to 57 projects across the state
- Projects to deliver an estimated 234 construction jobs, 229 ongoing roles; attract an additional 298,509 annual visitors and boost regional visitor economy by $80 million a year
Building Bush Tourism Fund photos/concept designs.
Video and interviews of funded Outback Tourism projects.
New Premier Steven Miles and Tourism Minister Michael Healy have today announced 57 projects around the state would benefit from a $10 million tourism budget boost, under the Building Bush Tourism initiative.
The Fund delivers grants of $50,000 to $200,000 for tourism operators, not-for-profit organisations and local councils to create new or enhanced infrastructure or deliver community and cultural experiences that improve local lifestyles while also driving visitation.
It's estimated the 57 projects generate 234 jobs during planning and construction and 229 ongoing operational jobs.
The upgraded and additional tourism infrastructure is tipped to attract an additional 298,509 visitors per year, increasing overnight visitor expenditure by more than $80 million per annum.
Project locations:
- Tropical North Queensland: $2.265 million for 13 projects
- Outback Queensland: $3.01 million for 18 projects
- Southern Queensland: $2.72 million for 17 projects.
Another nine projects received funding support in the Bundaberg, Capricornia, Fraser Coast, Gladstone and Mackay regions, while four Indigenous organisations and an Aboriginal Shire Council were also among the successful grant recipients.
As stated by Premier Steven Miles:
"I know that tourism is the lifeblood of a large number of Queensland communities, and I want to do whatever I can to help them thrive.
"Tourism employs one in 12 people in Queensland and that number is even higher in regional Queensland.
"My first budget as Premier is investing in projects from Cape York to Ballandean, Kuranda to Quilpie, ensuring that our hard-working regional tourism operators can continue to offer first class experiences to visitors from across Australia and the world."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:
"Queensland is Australia's favourite place to holiday and nowhere does our state shine brighter than in the bush.
"Building tourism infrastructure in the bush is all about bringing more visitors to town, to create jobs and grow Queensland's regional economies.
"The Building Bush Tourism projects we are supporting are expected to drive an additional 298,500 visitors to the regions each year, spending more than $80 million in overnight expenditure and generating 229 ongoing jobs for these local communities.
"Queensland is Australians favourite place to holiday, and by partnering with the sector to deliver new infrastructure we are working to stay in pole position."
"Queensland is Australians favourite place to holiday, and by partnering with the sector to deliver new infrastructure we are working to stay in pole position."
As stated by Minister for Tourism Michael Healy:
"We want to encourage as many people as possible to experience the wonders of Outback Queensland.
"From the dusty Outback to the lush Daintree, I'm looking forward to seeing the 57 Building Bush Tourism projects funded by our Government emerge on Queensland's regional tourism landscape."
"Visitors to regional Queensland will enjoy new and enhanced tourism infrastructure and experiences as part of the $10 million Building Bush Tourism Fund."
