A $50,000 funding boost from the Australian Government will help pave the way for bushfire recovery on the Southern Downs by increasing local tourism attractions and boosting visitor numbers to the region, Maranoa MP David Littleproud announced today.
The Recovery and Resilience through Public Art project and the Stanthorpe Street Party are two of the projects sharing in over $7 million in funding under the $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program.
“The Southern Downs community has shown incredible strength and resilience through a very challenging year, so I am proud to see this funding go towards meaningful projects that will attract visitors to the region and boost the local economy,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This time last year Stanthorpe residents were battling the devastating summer bushfires, and with the COVID-19 pandemic putting the brakes on a number of events and tourism opportunities for the region, these projects and the flow on benefits to the community, will be a big step forward on the journey to recovery.”
$30,000 in Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery funding will support the Stanthorpe Street Party, a new event encouraging friends and family to visit Stanthorpe and the wider community to celebrate the recovery and revival of the area.
An additional $20,000 will go towards an art installation project extending the established public art trail. The Recovery and Resilience Through Public Art project will create five new and exciting public art murals in the Stanthorpe CBD.
Mr Littleproud said the vital funding program would have positive impacts for bushfire-affected communities across the country.
“The Australian Government is 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.
“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.”
The Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program is part of the Morrison Government’s $76 million bushfire tourism recovery package to help get the tourism industry back on its feet.
The grants program funded as part of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency Fund and is being administered by Austrade. For further information on the program visit: www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Tourism/Tourism-and-business/Grants/regional-tourism-bushfire-recovery-grants
