- Seventy-three Far North Queensland tourism businesses have been approved for exceptional assistance grants, following Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
- Grants of up to $500,000 were available under a $10 million joint funding package from the Albanese and Miles Governments.
- Financial assistance is still available to help tourism businesses rebuild with resilient infrastructure.
Recovery assistance for tourism businesses hit by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper is rolling out with 73 operators now offered financial support under the $10 million Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants program.
Grants of up to $500,000 were announced in February for businesses of all sizes that suffered severe impacts from the cyclone’s flooding, leaving them unable to trade due to isolation for at least two weeks.
Applications were assessed in line with eligibility criteria to ensure funding support was appropriately allocated across the industry.
So far, grant recipients come from across FNQ, including 23 operators located north of the Daintree River including Cape Tribulation, and 19 businesses at Port Douglas.
The grants will cover business costs such as wages and salaries, fuel, rent and supplies.
Applications of a further seven tourism businesses are still under consideration.
Both Governments continue to support the local tourism sector through a $10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which is open until 19 April 2024.
The Fund aims to help businesses to boost their disaster resilience through tailored infrastructure solutions.
Both programs are jointly funded by the Albanese and Miles Governments as part of the $24.15 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. In total to date, both Governments have committed $111.5 million to help long-term recovery of communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister and Cairns MP Michael Healy:
“These grants show how many tourism businesses in the tropical north still need a hand after TC Jasper hit us in December last year,” Mr Healy said.
“Disaster recovery assistance for our tourist trade in the Far North is a priority and we’ll stand by our operators, the heart and soul of our industry, for as long as they need to get back on their feet.”
Quotes attributable to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures co-owner Angela Freeman:
“This grant program gave us the confidence to keep our staff fully employed while continuing to invest in international marketing and the future of the business.
“We have more certainty with our cashflows and general day-to-day pressures, after missing out on January trading during the busiest time of the year.
“Taxpayers will get a good return on their investment as we spend a lot in the local community, we employ a lot of locals and support the local community.
Quotes attributable to Back Country Bliss Adventures owner Jason Heffernan:
“The grant helps keep everyone’s jobs secure while allowing us to adapt and change and get into a comfortable position where we can guarantee what we’re offering.
“We were closed for 20 days but we lost the next month of bookings as well due to the uncertainty, so we lost more money in that period than in the first three quarters of Covid, it was devastating.
“We’re running a business on fumes at the moment, so now we can ensure wages are paid and hire new staff while having the confidence and security to continue into the busy season that we’re about to get into.“
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:
“Both levels of government are making significant investments in Queensland tourism businesses hit hard by this disaster because we know the important role they play in the region’s economy, and we want to see them back on their feet as soon as possible.
“I’d urge local businesses to also apply for the Building Resilient Tourism Fund if they haven’t already. Impacted tourism businesses can get grants to improve their future disaster resilience by investing in flood prevention infrastructure and equipment like generators, safety upgrades, or flood levees.”
