HON. DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
MEMBER FOR MARANOA
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, DROUGHT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
DEPUTY LEADER OF THE NATIONAL PARTY
SENATOR THE HON. JONNO DUNIAM
LIBERAL SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR REGIONAL TOURISM
HON. MICHELLE LANDRY MP
MEMBER FOR CAPRICORNIA
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
The Commonwealth Government has announced $180,000 in funding for the Capricorn Coast Food Trail to boost domestic visitors in Capricornia and support the region in response to the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Capricorn Coast Food Trail is one of the projects sharing in over $7 million in funding under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program.
Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the creation of the Capricorn Coast Food Trail will further boost the Capricorn Coast’s tourism credentials to Australian travellers.
“The Capricorn Coast is one of the best tourism destinations in Australia with the Keppel Islands, the southern Great Barrier Reef and an abundance of natural attractions that stands to appeal to all domestic travellers.
“Our beaches are clear, our water is blue and we are open for business.
“I want to thank Mayor Ireland and Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll for continuing to promote the region to the rest of Australia despite the numerous challenges COVID-19 has brought and I can’t wait to see the Capricorn Coast Food Trail when it’s completed,” Ms Landry said.
Livingstone Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Andy Ireland said this project will not only increase awareness of the need to conserve our natural environment and support local farmers, it will also assist in the economic recovery of the Shire following last year’s unprecedented Cobraball wildfires.
“This innovative project in partnership with Capricorn Enterprise complements Council’s commitment to supporting our first-class local industries including business, tourism and agriculture, while encouraging visitors to enjoy the many fantastic experiences that our Shire has to offer,” Mayor Ireland said.
“Council would like to sincerely thank Ms Landry and the Australian Government for its vital funding contribution towards this partnership project that will continue to promote Livingstone as a premier tourism destination.”
Capricorn Coast Food Trail involves producers and farmers across 19 bushfire impacted locations around the Capricorn Coast and hinterland. The trail will encourage visitors to explore and stay overnight in the region and embrace the ‘food as medicine’ trend. Grant funding will cover development of the trail, research, marketing and promotion.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said that these vital grants would have positive impacts for bushfire-affected communities.
“We committed to stick with bushfire affected communities for their long recovery journey and these grants are one very important support mechanism to get tourists back to affected areas – boosting local economies,” Minister Littleproud said.
“I would urge every Australian to consider taking a regional holiday in a bushfire affected area. We know some of these areas were hit with drought, bushfires and then COVID-19. Australians can assist in the recovery of these areas by holidaying in these locations when they can.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Jonno Duniam said the grants would help to revive the regional tourism industry.
“There are many regional businesses that were hit hard by the catastrophic summer bushfires and the COVID 19 pandemic,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“A number of events in fire-affected regions were postponed or cancelled due to travel restrictions forced by the pandemic. As restrictions begin to ease, these grants will help communities get back on their feet by supporting local jobs and local economies.”
This is the third funding announcement under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program, following $825,000 for 34 events and projects announced since June.
The Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program forms part of the Morrison Government’s $76 million tourism recovery package to help get the tourism industry back on its feet.
The grants program was developed in consultation with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and is being administered by Austrade. For further information on the RTBR grants program visit: https://www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Tourism/Tourism-and-business/Grants/regional-tourism-bushfire-recovery-grants
