Friday 29 July 2011

Saffin welcomes $154,000 boost for Page electorate tourism

 

Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin today announced TQUAL Grants totalling $154,000 for two quality tourism projects in Ballina Shire and the Clarence Valley.

Ms Saffin said Alstonville’s House With No Steps will receive $110,000 for its Farm Gate Tractor Tour, and Clarence Valley Council $44,000 for its Clarence BOOST project.

“The $110,000 will go towards constructing a 30-minute tractor ride tour over the House With No Steps’ 172-acre property – the first of its kind for our region,” Ms Saffin said.

“This tour, with signage educating tourists about local history, farming and Northern Rivers food, is set to become a major tourist drawcard.

“The House With No Steps employs up to 90 people with disabilities, and the Farm Gate Tractor Tour will further enhance this iconic tourist attraction and the great work it does.”

Ms Saffin congratulated Clarence Valley Council on its Clarence BOOST project which aims to show tourism operators how to compete in an experience-driven world.

“The council’s TQUAL grant will pay for consulting services to develop skills and capacity building at Clarence BOOST,” Ms Saffin said.

“Clarence BOOST is a boot camp for the Valley’s tourism community – operators, stakeholders, agencies and local residents.

“The project aims to help the Clarence tourism community to play its part in building a sustainable regional tourism future.”

Ms Saffin said the projects were among 117 to receive a total of $8.5 million in Australian Government funding in the latest round of TQUAL Grants.

With dollar-for-dollar matching investment from tourism operators, this funding round represents at least $17 million in new tourism investment nationwide.

Details of grant recipients and the competitive selection process is at www.ret.gov.au/tqual

[Media Release from the Office of Janelle Saffin MP, Page Electorate, Tuesday, July 26, 2011]

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