Miles Doing What Matters: Budget boost injects $80 million into regional tourism

• Miles Labor Government investment supports new bush tourism infrastructure, to grow regional visitation 
• Program backed by $10 million, allocated to 57 projects across the state
• Projects to deliver an estimated 234 construction jobs, 229 ongoing roles; attract an additional 298,509 annual visitors and boost regional visitor economy by $80 million a year

Building Bush Tourism Fund photos/concept designs.

Video and interviews of funded Outback Tourism projects.

New Premier Steven Miles and Tourism Minister Michael Healy have today announced 57 projects around the state would benefit from a $10 million tourism budget boost, under the Building Bush Tourism initiative.

The Fund delivers grants of $50,000 to $200,000 for tourism operators, not-for-profit organisations and local councils to create new or enhanced infrastructure or deliver community and cultural experiences that improve local lifestyles while also driving visitation.

It’s estimated the 57 projects generate 234 jobs during planning and construction and 229 ongoing operational jobs.

The upgraded and additional tourism infrastructure is tipped to attract an additional 298,509 visitors per year, increasing overnight visitor expenditure by more than $80 million per annum.

Project locations:

• Tropical North Queensland: $2.265 million for 13 projects
• Outback Queensland: $3.01 million for 18 projects
• Southern Queensland: $2.72 million for 17 projects.

Another nine projects received funding support in the Bundaberg, Capricornia, Fraser Coast, Gladstone and Mackay regions, while four Indigenous organisations and an Aboriginal Shire Council were also among the successful grant recipients.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“I know that tourism is the lifeblood of a large number of Queensland communities, and I want to do whatever I can to help them thrive.

“Tourism employs one in 12 people in Queensland and that number is even higher in regional Queensland.

“My first budget as Premier is investing in projects from Cape York to Ballandean, Kuranda to Quilpie, ensuring that our hard-working regional tourism operators can continue to offer first class experiences to visitors from across Australia and the world.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:

"Queensland is Australia’s favourite place to holiday and nowhere does our state shine brighter than in the bush.

“Building tourism infrastructure in the bush is all about bringing more visitors to town, to create jobs and grow Queensland’s regional economies.

“The Building Bush Tourism projects we are supporting are expected to drive an additional 298,500 visitors to the regions each year, spending more than $80 million in overnight expenditure and generating 229 ongoing jobs for these local communities.

“Queensland is Australians favourite place to holiday, and by partnering with the sector to deliver new infrastructure we are working to stay in pole position.”

“Queensland is Australians favourite place to holiday, and by partnering with the sector to deliver new infrastructure we are working to stay in pole position.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism Michael Healy:

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to experience the wonders of Outback Queensland.

“From the dusty Outback to the lush Daintree, I’m looking forward to seeing the 57 Building Bush Tourism projects funded by our Government emerge on Queensland’s regional tourism landscape.”

“Visitors to regional Queensland will enjoy new and enhanced tourism infrastructure and experiences as part of the $10 million Building Bush Tourism Fund.”

Further information:

Full list of 57 Building Bush Tourism Fund grant recipients, by region.
Tropical North Queensland (13 projects, $2.265 million)

• Riversleigh Fossil Trail, Cairns Aquarium and Reef Research Centre, Cairns
• Water-focused Environmental Science Centre, Cairns Koalas and Creatures, Cairns
• School Dam Shelters and lookout point bird hides, Normanton
• Luxury safari tents to expand accommodation, Cape Weymouth Camping and Cabins, Cape York
• Rossville Retreat increased camping capacity, accessibility, and Indigenous immersion experience, Rossville
• Crocwise Interpretive Centre immersive experience, Hartleys Creek Crocodile Farm, Wangetti
• Wawu Dimbi Eco-Cultural Tourism Bush Camp, Daintree
• Nature-based Glamping, Mareeba Bush Stays, Chewko
• Lighting up Kuranda improved lighting, landscaping and inclusive accessibility, Kuranda
• The Canopy Treehouses infrastructure repurposing, Atherton Tablelands
• Wujal Wujal Culture and Heritage Walking Trail, Wujal Wujal
• Burketown Wharf Recreational Precinct footpath improvements, Burketown
• Gangalidda and Garawa Native Title Aboriginal Corporation increased tourism accommodation, Burketown

Outback Queensland (18 projects, $3.01 million)

• Hebel Township footpaths, picnic shelters, BBQ and footpath to connect campgrounds to CBD, Hebel
• Thallon Rail Interpretive Centre exhibition space about town’s rail history, Thallon
• Spirit Place and Silver Lining Studio upgrades, Barcaldine
• Jundah Racecourse amenities facilities upgrade, Jundah
• Ilfracombe Rest Facilities Upgrade, Ilfracombe
• Refurbishment of historical Yuleba Fire Tower Cabin, Yuleba
• Indigenous Art Gallery within Outback at Isa, Mount Isa
• Drovers Heritage Centre/Museum exterior transformation including historic murals, Camooweal
• Charleville Cosmos Centre facility upgrade and enhancement, Charleville
• Gidgee’s Bush Camp bore and solar pump installation in bush campgrounds, Morven
• Charlotte Plains Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure Project including hot pool and upgrade of campsite amenities, Cunnamulla
• Cunnamulla Hot Springs and Theatre Arts Activation, Cunnamulla
• Club Boutique Hotel new infrastructure to increase accommodation, Cunnamulla
• Eromanga Natural History Museum construction of children’s dig pit, including 3D fossil replicas, Eromanga
• Quilpie Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery enhancements including new undercover entertainment area and accessibility, Quilpie
• The Lake Quilpie expanded facilities and new accessibility amenities, Quilpie
• ‘Shadows of Gondwana’ sustainable multi-sensory evening entertainment experience at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Winton
• Crackup Corner transformation of outdoor stage into weatherproof amphitheatre, Winton

Southern Queensland (17 projects, $2.72 million)

• Development of a Geo Trail centred around the Emerald Visitor Information Centre, Emerald
• The Ration Shed Museum expansion of exhibition space and improvements to gallery, Cherbourg
• Laundry facilities to increase capacity for caravan and camping at Goondiwindi Showgrounds, Goondiwindi
• Improvements to entertainment facilities, including accessible pathway at Goondiwindi Race Club, Goondiwindi
• Upgraded facilities and entertainment area adjacent to powered caravan sites at Toobeah Coronation Hotel, Toobeah
• New infrastructure to enhance immersive experience at 55 Million Years Ago Fossil Museum, Murgon
• Upgrades to communal camp kitchen to improve accessibility at Barambah Bush Caravan Park, Murgon
• 5 Wine Domes and Event Space at Ballandean Estate Wines, Ballandean
• School of Wine and Spirits immersive educational hub at Bents Road Winery, Ballandean
• Pioneer Hut extension and additional facilities at Diamondvale Estate, Diamondvale
• Queensland’s first Grape to Glass Centre at Sancerre Estate, Ballandean
• Warwick Railway Station redevelopment to establish a visitor centre, cafe and tour base for steam rail tours, Warwick
• Paved pathways to improve accessibility throughout Darling Downs Zoo, Pilton
• Charleys Creek Camping construction of livestock/entertainment arena to host charity events and equine healing therapy, Chinchilla
• Great Artesian Basin Centre expansion and installation of First Nations interpretive experience, Miles
• Riverbank Glamping self-contained private safari style tent, Boonarga
• Multi-purpose function facility at The Dusty Chook, Chinchilla

Bundaberg

• Upgraded exhibits with new interactive digital technology, Hinkler Hall of Aviation
• Infrastructure upgrade to create an environmentally-conscious major events space, Bundaberg Recreational Precinct
• Accessible pedestrian barriers to improve entry and exit of Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre
  
  

Capricornia

• Elevated walkway and high ropes course outside the Capricorn Caves
• Infrastructure upgrades including increased capacity events and improved access for water activities, Hedlow Retreat
  
  

Fraser Coast

• Develop campgrounds with environmentally sustainable infrastructure, Trinity Islands Holiday Park
  
  

Gladstone

• New stadium flooring to host higher level sporting events, Kev Broome Stadium
• Immersive trails to connect walking trails with cultural and historical assets, Agnes Adventures

Mackay

• Installation of additional features to attract national wakeboarding competitions, Wake House Australia

ENDS