Tourism Recovery Assistance Grant provides $1.6 million for FNQ operators

Far North Queensland Tourism operators hit hard by the effects of Tropical Cyclone Jasper are now able to apply for a share of $1.6 million through the Tourism Recovery Assistance grant.

The support targets medium to large Far North tourist operators who have suffered direct damage to their business.

Grants of up to $50,000 per business can go towards the cost of clean-up, repairs and the re-establishment of tourism operations including engaging tradespeople, hiring or purchasing equipment, removing debris, repairing buildings or replacing damaged stock.

Tourism businesses located in Cairns, Douglas, Tablelands, Cassowary Coast, Hope Vale, Wujal Wujal, Cook, Mareeba and Yarrabah Local Government Areas are eligible to apply for funding support.

Applications opened on Thursday 25 January 2024 and will close on 31 March 2024 or until the funds are exhausted.

The funding is part of a $5 million Tourism Recovery Package announced in December to support tourism operators and local communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and flooding.

The package is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister and Member for Cairns Michael Healy:

“This $1.6m will help hard-hit Far North tourism businesses - with between 20 to 200 full time equivalent employees - to recover from the recent disaster.

“Operators who suffered direct damage to their business can apply for a $50,000 grant to pay tradies, fix buildings, and hire or buy equipment.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found at:

www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au

Media contact: Peter Michael 0477 948 091