$10 million funding available for Far North Queensland tourism businesses

A new funding package will offer financial assistance to disaster-stricken Far North tourism businesses worst hit by the wettest tropical cyclone in Australian history last month.

Tourists learn about Indigenous culture onboard a Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel boat. Picture: Supplied

A new funding package will offer financial assistance to disaster-stricken Far North tourism businesses worst hit by the wettest tropical cyclone in Australian history last month.

Starting next week, operators will be eligible to apply for a share in $10 million through the Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the funding was available to businesses that suffered exceptional impacts due to flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, leaving them isolated or unable to trade for more than two weeks.

“Some of these tropical north tourism operators are still hurting, weeks after Tropical

Cyclone Jasper caused widespread devastation, with flooding cutting access roads,”

Mr Healy said.

Tourism Minister and Cairns MP Michael Healy with Cape Tribulation supermarket owner, Graham Williams during a visit to inspect damage caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Photo: Supplied

“This new package is about recognising the ongoing cost that devastation has on

businesses of all sizes as they try to retain staff and meet costs while losing their

main source of income — visitors.

“We will continue to back our Far North Queensland tourism businesses, so they are

thriving when the visitors do return.”

Mark Olsen, CEO of TTNQ (Tourism Tropical North Queensland) says operators across the region have been adversely affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Picture by Sean Davey

The grants will benefit operators far beyond Cairns with companies in Douglas Shire among the worst affected, Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said.

“There are tourism businesses at Cape Tribulation that have been isolated from their

customers for more than 50 days, leaving them with no income to meet ongoing

costs such as wages and rent,” Mr Olsen said.

“They are an important part of the diverse world-class experiences on offer in

Tropical North Queensland and need assistance to enable them to resume business

once the Cape Tribulation road is open”.

The package is part of the $24 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program

which is jointly funded by the Albanese and Miles Governments under Disaster

Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Grants of up to $500,000 are available to businesses of all sizes that have been

severely impacted, suffering loss of business and experiencing hardship.

The grants can be used to cover costs such as wages and salaries, fuel, rent and

supplies.

The scheme follows on from the previously announced $5 million emergency support package for tourism operators in the region which included the $1.6 million in Tourism

Recovery Assistance Grants to support for medium-to-large businesses to re-establish

their operations.

A dedicated Tourism Response Officer has also been recruited by Tourism Tropical

North Queensland to provide support to affected operators.

Federal Tourism Minister, Don Farrell said the industry played a crucial role in the region’s economic recovery.

“Tourism boosts local jobs and makes an integral contribution to the Tropical North

Queensland economy and community,” Mr Farrell said.

”We know that for those businesses that have been cut-off, the impacts of extreme weather continue well after the storm has passed.

“That’s why this support is about helping them through the tough times so they can

get back to what they do best – offering spectacular experiences in this unique and

wonderful place.”

Originally published as $10 million funding available for Far North Queensland tourism businesses