Tourism funding to boost Whitsundays region after Debbie

A year after Cyclone Debbie devastated the Whitsundays, Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones visited Bowen today to announce $2 million to fund six tourism projects in the region.

The funding is part of a $7 million joint State and Federal government funding package set up to help the tourism industry bounce back from Tropical Cyclone Debbie after it crossed the Whitsunday coast on March 28, 2017.

Ms Jones said the six projects in Bowen, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island would provide exciting new experiences for visitors to the region.

“Cyclone Debbie left her mark on the Whitsundays but the tourism industry has shown great resilience in the last year,” she said.

“We always knew we needed to support the industry by giving visitors to this beautiful part of the world new ways to experience its many attractions.

“We received significant interest in the grants program under the recovery fund and applications were of a high standard.

“Grants were awarded to those projects that will drive tourism demand and increase visitation and expenditure in the Whitsundays and surrounding region.”

The six projects to receive funding are:

• Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited – for the construction of an  auditorium to attract large expo and conference events at Bougainvillea Marquee, Hamilton Island;
• Reef Ecologic – for the design, creation and installation of underwater and inter-tidal interpretive art pieces across the Whitsunday region;
• Catalina Flying Memorial Limited – for a feasibility study into the restoration and relocation of a Catalina flying aircraft to Bowen for static and flying display as a tourist and educational attraction;
• Bowen Tourism and Enterprise – for the creation and installation of a digital interpretive space, featuring CGI virtual reality, at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre;
• Jimmy Crow Limited – for a feasibility study for a ecotourism development including an interpretative centre and café, hiking and cycling tracks and adrenaline activities located both near and within Conway National Park, overlooking Airlie Beach; and
• Queens Beach Tourist Village Pty Ltd – for the construction of an inclusive family water play attraction at Queens Beach Tourist Village, Queens Beach.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the investment would support growth in the region.

“This funding is providing vital assistance to help the tourism industry bounce back after the devastation of Cyclone Debbie, and it’s great to see money going to a range of projects in both the Whitsundays and Bowen,” he said.

“From a pool and water slide at Queens Beach, through to a study into a cable car at Airlie Beach, there are fantastic projects in the mix to strengthen the region’s tourism offering.”

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Craig Turner said he was excited about the announcement and eager to see how the projects will enhance tourism in the region.

“These projects will help take tourism in the Whitsundays to another level,” he said.

“We are already an idyllic place for visitation to the Great Barrier Reef and islands, and this funding will help develop mainland tourism.”

A total of 13 Whitsunday tourism projects will receive funding through the $7m Tourism Recovery Fund.

The first project – a short island walk on Langford Island – was recently completed and is now open to the public.

The six new grant projects are due for completion on or before 31 December 2019.

For information on project status go to https://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/corporate

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447