Two Burnett tourism projects will receive $210,000 in funding as part of the Queensland Government’s Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) Contestab
le Grants Funding Scheme.
Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett said the Government’s tourism grants would help Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism implement a turtle experience tourism campaign and a digital tourism project for the region.
“The Turtle Experience campaign will promote the popular ranger-guided turtle experience at the Mon Repos Turtle Rookery from October 2013 until April 2014, including local holiday packages”, Mr Bennett said.
“The second project will see the introduction of an integrated digital information network, making tourism information on the Bundaberg North Burnett region more accessible to travellers.
“Digital tourism information touchscreens will be made available throughout the region as part of the network, drawing on information from existing tourism websites as well as the development of a new tablet and smartphone application.”
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey said these projects are among twenty-two across Queensland to receive a share of the $3 million made available to RTOs under the State Government’s Contestable Grants Funding Scheme.
“At the inaugural DestinationQ Forum held in Cairns last June, our Government increased the funding available to RTOs, bringing total government support to $7 million,” she said.
Ms Stuckey said the funds were in addition to core funding provided to the RTO network in 2013-14.
“These projects will help boost tourism in Queensland and support the Queensland Government’s goal of reaching $30 billion in annual overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.
“The successful applications include innovative proposals linked to DestinationQ outcomes and focus on marketing or product development opportunities that complement the Government’s wider tourism strategy.”
Ms Stuckey said a committee was established to assess grant applications submitted, which was made up of representatives from the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games.
“RTOs were encouraged to leverage their own contributions towards projects with those from partners including local governments, local tourism organisations, industry and other partners to strengthen their proposed initiatives.
“Where grant applications have been successful, the State Government will match the destination’s cash contributions dollar-for-dollar.
“In addition, RTOs are eligible to receive an extra 50 per cent for every dollar of new local government funds contributed to their successful projects.”
Ms Stuckey said the Queensland Government continued to focus on the importance of industry partnerships and the RTO Contestable Grants Funding Scheme was a practical example of this.
For more information about the Bundaberg region projects contact Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism.
Summary of Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism funding under the Contestable Grants Funding Scheme 2013-14:
| Projects supported | Total grant funding |
| Bundaberg Turtle Experience Campaign | $75,000 |
| Bundaberg North Burnett Digital Information System | $135,000 |
| Total | $210,000 |