Marine tourism projects gain Queensland funding
New jetty, tourism precinct, marina all gain first-round state government supportQueensland will benefit from three new tourism developments after they received financial backing from the state government to help kick-start the projects.
The projects were granted money from the first round of the state’s Growing Future Tourism initiative, a $30 million program to provide financial incentives to tourism operators, not-for-profit organisations and local government to build new projects or provide better experiences for tourists.
Each project can attract taxpayer funding of between $1 million and $4 million which must be matched by the project applying for the grant.
Lindeman Island Resort is one of the successful recipients, receiving funding for the first stage of the resort’s redevelopment. Its funds will go towards a 50-metre jetty improving visitor access, which should be operational early next year.
The resort was smashed by Cyclone Yasi in 2012, and sold to a Chinese company that floated plans to develop the resort to include safe anchorage for up to 50 yachts.
It was sold again to a Singapore-based investor early last year. While the resort is scheduled to reopen next year, there are only plans to expand the number of moorings that the island will offer.
Meanwhile, Townsville’s Flinders Street Wharves precinct has attracted funds to help it develop a new tourist hub that will include marina berths and a floating restaurant.
The Queensland Government announced earlier this year that the historic precinct would undergo a $30 million redevelopment that would help it facilitate boat tours to sites including Magnetic Island, the Palm Island group, the Museum of Underwater Art on John Brewer Reef, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Raptis Seafoods, a wild-caught seafood specialist, also has had funding approved for the development of a 42-berth marina for commercial vessels at its Murarrie site along the Brisbane River.
The business originally started as a fish and chip shop in Adelaide, but now owns and operates fishing fleets right around Australia, supplying a range of wholesale and retail outlets. Its head office is based in Brisbane.
Applications for grants as part of round two of the Growing Future Tourism program open today. A copy of the guidelines is available here.
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