TQUAL Grants: Tourism Quality Projects welcomed in the Parkes Electorate
27-July-2011
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has welcomed a $246 500.00 funding boost to local tourism attractions and destinations through the Australian Government’s TQUAL tourism grants yesterday.
“Tourism is vital in bringing industry and jobs to our region and it is great to see people from right across Australia coming to the Parkes electorate to share in and celebrate its wonderful diversity,” Mr Coulton said. “It is important that Governments recognise the importance of regional tourism, as it accounts for 46 cents of every tourism dollar.”
The TQUAL grants stimulate sustainable economic growth in the Australian tourism industry by enhancing the supply of quality tourism products and experiences to support marketing promises.
“The funding has been awarded to the Coonabarabran Telescope Pty Ltd, the Macquarie Marshes Wetland Education and Cultural Centre, the Wellington Caves, the Coonamble Eco Spa and Caravan Park and the Narrabri Shire Council on behalf of the Kamilaroi Highway Group.”
“We are very fortunate to have on our doorstep an abundance of breathtaking landscape and internationally recognised tourist attractions, and I welcome this funding that will help sustain these attractions.”
Details of the funding:
Coonabarabran Telescope Pty Ltd - $110,000.00
Project Title - Exploring our southern skies, increasing astronomy tourism options
Project Description - Relocate and refurbish the 40" telescope from Siding Spring Observatory to "Milroy” west of Coonabarabran in NSW. This project will establish a new observatory providing astronomy tourists with amateur’s access to the largest publicly accessible telescope in the Southern Hemisphere.
RiverSmart Australia Ltd - $50,000.00
Project Title - Master plan - Macquarie Marshes Wetland Education and Cultural Centre
Project Description - Development of a master plan for a Wetland Education and Cultural Centre (WECC) in the Macquarie Marshes. The development of a Master Plan will involve significant community consultation and will deliver ecological, built, educational, tourism and financial details for a WECC. It is envisaged the WECC will provide positive impacts to regional visitation, employment and economic bottom lines.
Wellington Council - $20,000.00
Project Title - Lighting upgrade at Wellington's Cathedral Cave
Project Description - Install an interactive LED system to replace the current incandescent system at the Cathedral Cave at Wellington. This project will improve the experience of visitors while limiting the environmental impacts caused by lighting the cave chambers.
Coonamble Shire Council - $50,000.00
Project Title - Coonamble Eco Spa & Caravan Park - Investment Ready
Project Description - Production of technical, design and planning documents for the Coonamble Eco Spa and Caravan Park project. The project will bring the Eco Spa to the point of being 'investor ready'. There is potential for the Eco Spa to attract day trips from people visiting the surrounding region, particularly the Warrumbungle National Park and Lightning Ridge, adding to the regional offering and contributing to longer stays.
Narrabri Shire Council on behalf of the Kamilaroi Highway Group - $16,500.00
Project Title - Kamilaroi Highway Touring route - Development of Aboriginal & Nature-based Products / Businesses
Project Description - Feasibility study to identify and evaluate opportunities for the development of Aboriginal and Nature-based products, experiences and businesses along the Kamilaroi Highway. The Kamilaroi Highway Group aim is to diversify and strengthen the tourism product and experiences along the Kamilaroi Highway touring route.