Bushfire Recovery Funding Continues to Support Region
Mackay Tourism is pleased to announce it has been successful in attaining funding from the Central Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grants – Round 2.
From 2019 to 2021 a total of $6 million has been made available through two open funding rounds to provide flexible grants to non-government organisations, community groups and Local Governments to implement projects aimed at driving recovery, building awareness and resilience within several disaster affected Local Government areas including Isaac and Mackay.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Central Queensland Flexible Funding Grants were another commitment of the Palaszczuk Government to grow tourism in Central Queensland.
“Under the Palaszczuk Government, tourism has risen to become a fundamental pillar to the Queensland, and indeed, to The Mackay Region’s economy. Tourism sustainably generates a Gross Regional Product of $407.4 million and directly supports 3.5 per cent of all jobs in the region,” said Mrs Gilbert.
She continued, “supporting Mackay Tourism, and the tourism industry it represents, through the Central Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grants, will not only assist the region in recovering from last year’s bushfires, but will grow the resilience of a very profitable and sustainable local industry.”
Mackay Tourism will receive $48,000 for the Central Queensland Fishing project, and a further $49,500 towards the project Drive Central Queensland.
Chief Executive Officer of Mackay Tourism Tas Webber explained the programs made possible through the successful Central Queensland Bushfire Flexible Funding Grants application.
“Funding for the CQ Fishing project will enable Mackay Tourism to continue to market The Mackay Region as Australia’s premier fishing destination. Although an exact amount is unknown, it is well understood the importance of recreational fishing tourism to The Mackay Region’s economy, and further developing this industry will create a profitable, resilient and sustainable source of overnight visitor expenditure,” he said.
“Funding for Drive CQ meanwhile, will enable Mackay Tourism to partner with other Central Queensland Regional Tourism Organisations to develop tourism drives, each focusing on cementing resilient tourism industries in regional areas,” explained Mr Webber.
The Central Queensland Bushfires Flexible Funding Grants are an initiative jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
ENDS
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Published: 19 December 2019