Whitsunday tourism: $3.5m lifeline for struggling industry
$250m package to entice more Aussies to holiday in their own backyard.
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Whitsundays will receive a multimillion-dollar boost under a Federal Government plan to entice more Aussies to holiday in their own backyard.
Nine tourism regions heavily reliant on international tourists will share in $50 million to spend on marketing campaigns and events to attract would-be international travellers to holiday at home.
Areas earmarked for cash include the NSW North Coast, Tropical North Queensland, the Whitsundays, Phillip Island in Victoria and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
The Whitsundays will receive a $3.5 million slice of the funding.
The amount each area received was calculated by the number of international tourism-reliant jobs in the region.
More stories:
What the recession means for you
Blanket restrictions stifling economy amid calls to re-open
NEW PLAYBOOK: How Mackay can chart course to prosperity
The Federal Government will work with local tourism bodies to determine the best use of the cash.
Yesterday's announcement, made on World Tourism Day, also included $200 million for an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the combined $250 million package would deliver targeted support for regional areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
"By investing $200 million in an additional round of the Building Better Regions Fund we are investing $200 million in securing regional Australia's future," Mr McCormack said.
"We know every dollar spent on building local communities is a dollar well spent and that is at the heart of our economic plan for a more secure and resilient Australia."
Subscriber benefits:
Your daily dose of Harry Bruce cartoons
Five ways to get more from your digital subscription
WATCH: Your guide to reading the Daily Mercury online
BBRF Round 5 will be delivered like its previous four rounds, with Infrastructure Project and Community Investment streams.
Grant Opportunity Guidelines will be made available shortly, consistent with the existing BBRF framework, to assist potential applicants.
Mackay sale and auction results, week ending April 5
Moranbah proved to be a hot market last week with five properties selling for a total value of $1.9 million. See the latest auction and sales results.
Watch: Moment riverside brewery trashed by vandals
Footage shows a group trashing a Qld waterfront venue, damaging furniture and throwing it into the river while a state MP points the finger at weak youth crime laws which have only recently been strengthened. VIDEO, LATEST.