Grant funding boost to Cockburn tourism

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Published on Tuesday, 16 August 2011 13:44

Federal Member for Fremantle, Melissa Parke has welcomed a Federal TQUAL Grant of $15,000 for the City of Cockburn's proposed new Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre.

"I congratulate the City of Cockburn for putting forward this excellent proposal that will draw visitors to the city, showcase our shared Indigenous history, and promote reconciliation," said Ms Parke. The funding from the Australian Government will enable the City of Cockburn to conduct a feasibility study that will identify a preferred site, operational models, and a list of requirements for the facility which, if built, would reveal the rich and unique Aboriginal stories and sites — such as Bibra Lake and the greater Beeliar Regional Park system — to visitors.

"The City of Cockburn is investing in local Indigenous history and culture to provide a tourism experience that will help attract visitors to the city and enrich the community's understanding of our shared Indigenous heritage."

"By providing matching funding to help local tourism grow and expand, the Australian

Government is supporting the $34 billion industry which employs almost a million Australians directly and indirectly," said Ms Parke.

"The challenge for regional tourism destinations is in attracting increasingly time poor visitors out of the gateway cities. These grants will help better position those businesses and organisations who are looking to expand, modify or diversify their product or service to be even more appealing for city dwellers and international visitors.

"As a part of the National Long Term Tourism Strategy, the TQUAL Grants help address the lack of investment in tourism which is of course more pronounced in regional Australia.

"TQUAL Grants create greater incentive for tourism operators to invest and that's especially important in regional economies.

"New investment in just one tourism project can generate flow-on benefits to thousands of small businesses, whether they're directly involved in the industry or part of the wider business community."

This project is one of 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.