SA Government announces $20m regional tourism package, with grants of up to $500K to upgrade rooms, infrastructure
Regional tourism operators in SA are being urged to bid for a slice of a new $20 million stimulus package, that will help pay for the likes of upgrading infrastructure and adding a new cellar door.
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Regional tourism operators are able to bid for up to half a million in taxpayer-funded stimulus to deliver new infrastructure that will boost visitors and jobs.
Premier Steven Marshall on Sunday announced a new $20 million boost via a new tourism industry development fund that will last for two years to support recovery.
The sector has had a double hit this year from bushfires and COVID border lockdowns.
Available grants are between $20,000 and $500,000. Applicants will have to show they can improve regional accommodation, tourism product and experiences to attract more visitors.
Mr Marshall said: “There’s no doubt the tourism industry is one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s also one of the most innovative and creative.”
“We want to ensure that regional tourism businesses are supported to improve and diversify their offering so they can remain sustainable, increase visitor demand, and have visitors linger for longer,” he said. “That’s exactly what the Marshall Government is doing, while getting shovels in the ground faster and more South Australians back into jobs.”
“One of the key strategic priorities identified across all regions for growing the visitor economy in our state, is improved accommodation, product and experiences.
“Regional tourism is playing a major role in rebuilding our state’s visitor economy and creating local jobs. We already know 43 cents in every tourism dollar is spent in our regions and early indications show this fund will create around 1,400 ongoing direct tourism jobs.”
Applications are limited to private sector businesses.
Projects must commence within three months from the time of a successful application.
The maximum amount of taxpayer support for a project is 30 per cent of its total cost.
The Government says examples could include new accommodation or refurbishments to existing properties, the development or enhancement of tourism experiences, including innovative transport options or infrastructure, such as a cellar door to enhance visitor engagement.
The funding program opens Monday morning and runs until March 31, 2022.
Applications will be assessed by a panel including representatives from the South Australian Tourism Commission and the South Australian Financing Authority.
The Opposition has accused Mr Marshall of failing to go hard and early enough on stimulus, despite having committed $1 billion. They cite figures which show, as a proportion of the size of the local economies, SA’s direct stimulus has been the smallest in the nation.
Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said: “South Australia is lagging behind the rest of the nation on COVID-19 stimulus, as new data reveals a collapse in expenditure on construction worth a stunning $666 million, which is having a devastating impact on jobs”.