Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor is urging Far North Queenslanders to apply for $3 million in contestable grant funding for a range of tourism projects.
Mr Lawlor said the Queensland Tourism Network Grant Scheme would allocate $3 million over the next three years as part of a commitment to help the state's tourism organisations develop a stronger and more cohesive network.
"The grants will be available to a range of not-for-profit tourism groups including regional and local tourism organisations, local government tourism departments and divisions, and tourism associations that are members of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council," Mr Lawlor said.
"The aim of the grants is to fund projects that will enable these organisations to streamline their current operations - for example by merging with other tourism bodies - or for organisations to collaborate on new tourism marketing or product development initiatives that aren't already part of their core operations.
Member for Barron River and Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Steve Wettenhall said there was no minimum or maximum grant amount that tourism organisations could apply for, rather submissions would be assessed on the value of the project to their overall region or to the state.
"There are two main categories for eligible projects - those that are associated with implementing mergers between tourism organisations; and for tourism organisations who collaborate on new marketing, industry and/or product development projects," he said.
The Far North's three other MPs also strongly support the scheme.
Member for Cairns, Desley Boyle said: "In 2008, the State Government conducted a review of Queensland's tourism network and as a result the then Minister for Tourism announced a series of reforms which included encouraging regional and local tourism organisations to merge in order to create a more efficient and streamlined indu stry.
Member for Cook Jason O'Brien envisaged competition would be quite fierce amongst applicants.
"I would therefore encourage those wishing to apply to put forward the best case possible,'' he said.
Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said: "We want to encourage tourism organisations to think outside their 'business as usual' squares and come to us with proposals that will help them build a stronger and more efficient tourism network in Queensland."
Grant guidelines are available on the Tourism Queensland website at www.tq.com.au
Applications close 9th April 2010 for category one applications (tourism mergers) and 7th May 2010 for category two applications (new marketing and/or product development projects)
