Several projects are well under way as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $10 million Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the projects delivered through the government’s Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund would create 164 jobs during construction and pump more than $18 million each year into local outback economies.
“We’re investing in new tourism infrastructure because we know this will attract more visitors to the outback and create jobs for locals,” she said.
“We want to grow tourism and tourism jobs in the outback that’s why I declared 2019 Year of Outback Tourism.
“Construction is under way on five projects in Winton, Barcaldine, Cobbold Gorge and Longreach.
“Not only will these projects provide a boost to the local construction industry, they’re designed to grow regional tourism in the long-term.”
As part of the Year of Outback Tourism, the Premier also recently launched a new $3 million grants scheme to help fund new or existing events, attractions and festivals right across the Outback. The first round will be announced soon.
“More tourists than ever before are touring Outback Queensland and for the first time Queensland could crack one million visitors in 2019 – that is more than 13 percent growth year-on-year,” the Premier said.
“The tourism sector there is worth more than $350 million and supports 3700 jobs, so it’s vital we back it.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the 15 successful Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund projects, of which five were now underway, were announced in November last year.
“Today workers are doing final assembly activities on the Dinosaur Dreaming Trail in Winton and Barcaldine – a project which will create 18 jobs and generate more than $2.3 million a year for local businesses,” said.
“Workers are also reassembling the Super Constellation aircraft and replacing the corroded and missing aircraft parts at the Qantas Founders Memorial at Longreach – a project set to create four jobs and pump more than three and a half million dollars into the economy each year.
“And at Cobbold Gorge, construction is progressing on an 11 metre glass-bottom bridge – providing tourists with yet another reason to travel to this spectacular part of regional Queensland.
“This work is estimated to create 20 jobs and pump an additional $407,000 annually into the local economy.”
Ms Jones said the Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund was a testament to the government’s commitment to grow the tourism industry in regional Queensland.
“The Premier recently announced 2019 the Year of Outback Tourism – because we recognise West Queensland’s great potential as a thriving hub for international tourists,” she said.
“We’re investing more in tourism than any government in Queensland’s history. This is in stark contrast to the LNP who cut $188 million from the tourism space under Newman and Frecklington.”
