Federal government pumps $245,000 into regional events

Piggy bank with Face Mask, Financial crisis and market crash due to virus spread.

The federal government has committed $245,000 in funding for 10 new events and projects in fire-affected communities.

The funding will be distributed to regions in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW to support communities in response to the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the second round of funding announced under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program and follows $580,000 of funding announced for 24 events and projects in June.

The grants program is part of a $76 million tourism bushfire recovery package to protect jobs, small businesses and local economies.

Assistant minister for regional tourism Jonno Duniam said the events, including a vintage motoring run, art trail, cycling event, concert and food festival, would assist in boosting the number of domestic visitors to our regional areas when the time was right.

“With restrictions easing in some states and planning for events starting again, it’s great to be able to announce the latest round of grants that will help to breathe life back into our regional tourism industry,” Duniam said.

“These community events and projects are all about encouraging Australians back into our regions, to keep struggling tourism businesses alive by putting dollars back into the hands of local vendors and operators.

“Each year, Australia attracts close to nine million international arrivals and with no immediate return to international travel in sight, it’s more important than ever that Australians support regional tourism and enjoy the best of what we have in our own backyard.

“This year has been as tough as it gets for so many of our regional communities that have been hit hard by the combined impact of bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is not only an opportunity to give visitors a new reason to visit our regions, it is an important chance for communities to come together and focus on something positive and to celebrate what’s unique about their region.

“I’m urging all Aussies to consider taking a holiday right here, when it’s safe to do so – you’ll be doing yourself and the locals a huge favour.”

Here’s where the funding will be distributed:

ApplicantProject titleFunding
Adelaide Hills Tourism Incorporated, SABay to Birdwood – 40th Anniversary Event$25,000
Adelaide Hills Tourism Incorporated, SAAdelaide Hills Cherry Trail$5,000
Yorke Peninsula Council, SA (Joint Application)Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Art Trail$30,000
Tourism Marketing Committee – Yorke Peninsula Incorporated, SA (Joint Application)Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Art Trail$30,000
Towong Shire Council, VICUpper Murray Victorian Open Road Series Stage$10,000
Towong Shire Council, VICMitta Valley Gravel Grinder$20,000
Wellington Shire Council, VICCommunity Event Support Across Wellington Shire$30,000
Bundaberg Region, QldTaste Bundaberg Festival 2021$30,000
Noosa Shire Council, Qld2020 Noosa Eat & Drink Celebration Event$15,000
Eurobodalla Shire Council, NSWThe Tilba Festival$30,000
Snowy Monaro Regional Council, NSWWelcome to the Snowy Mountains 2021 Concert$20,000

Featured image source: iStock/AlenaPaulus

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