Member for Davidson and Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism, Jonathan O’Dea has announced applications are open for a $4.8 million fund to bolster local tourism infrastructure in NSW.
Local and state government entities, Aboriginal Land Councils, non-government organisations and private operators are encouraged to apply for a share of the funds as part of the 2016-17 Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program (TDDI).
“With $4.8 million on offer for tourism projects, I encourage eligible groups to apply whether it is for exhibition facilities, road upgrades or enhancements to parks or marine areas,” Mr O’Dea said.
“This initiative will help boost the local tourism industry and encourage economic growth in communities. I encourage NSW tourism operators and organisations to submit their applications promptly so they don’t miss out,” he said.
Projects should create and encourage visitation to a destination and fall into these categories:
- Environmental – the development or enhancement of natural assets;
- Built - such as mixed use, exhibition and sporting facilities;
- Transport - such as roads, rail networks, ports, airports; and
- Enabling – Indigenous tourism development, plans and feasibility studies and programs to improve industry capability.
Project funding must be matched dollar for dollar by project organisers.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres emphasised the importance of tourism infrastructure in ensuring NSW remains the number one destination in Australia.
“NSW is seeing a huge increase in visitor numbers and visitor expenditure, with visitors to the state spending $31.5 billion in the year ending March 2016. Programs like the TDDI ensure that we are constantly improving the visitor experience so we can continue this phenomenal growth,” Mr Ayres said.
Further information on the Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program, including Guidelines and Application Process, are available on www.nsw.gov.au/tddi.
Applications close 2pm, Tuesday 9 August 2016. All applications must be submitted using the online application form on the NSW eTendering website www.etendering.nsw.gov.au.
