All five councils in the electorate of Cowper have received new investment from the Morrison-McCormack Government to strengthen the local tourism industry.
A total of $775,000 has been allocated from the Government’s Tourism Bushfire Recovery Program for projects such as supporting the popular Smash ‘em Sydney Sixers in Coffs Harbour, Nature Trails of the Macleay Valley and the Port Macquarie Lumiere.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said local Councils and tourism organisations had put in time and effort in February and March to submit applications to the tourism recovery initiative and he was pleased their effort had paid off.
“Tourism and hospitality businesses in our area have been doing it really tough since spring-summer last year and they deserve our ongoing support,” he said.
“Thank you to our Councils and tourism bodies for putting in the work to make these gains for our keynote local events, tourism infrastructure and our local economy.”
Grants awarded include:
COWPER ELECTORATE TOTAL: $775,000
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said over $7 million in funding under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program had been announced today (18 September 2020).
“We committed to stick with bushfire-affected communities for their long recovery journey and these grants are one important support mechanism to get tourists back to affected areas,” he said.
“I would urge every Australian to consider taking a regional holiday in a bushfire affected area. We know some of these areas were hit with drought, bushfires and then COVID-19. Australians can assist in the recovery of these areas by holidaying in these locations when they can.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Jonno Duniam said the grants would help to revive the regional tourism industry.
“There are many regional businesses that were hit hard by the catastrophic summer bushfires and the COVID 19 pandemic,” he said.
“As restrictions begin to ease, these grants will help communities get back on their feet by supporting local jobs and local economies.”
This is the third funding announcement under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program, following $825,000 for 34 events and projects announced since June. One of these projects was Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Art Walk initiative from 1-8 October; it received $25,000.
The Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program forms part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $76 million tourism recovery package. The grants program was developed in consultation with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and is being administered by Austrade.
For more information visit the Australian Trade and Investment Commission’s website here.
ENDS
Media contacts:
Mr Littleproud – Douglas Ferguson 0455 448 985
Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744