Government funded tourism bodies are the big winners from the recent round of local government Tourism Development Fund grants.

$120,000 of the $150,000 allocated by the Council as part of the Tourism Development Fund grants was awarded to Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, (TPDD) and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ).

In addition, nearly $60,000 was awarded as part of the Economic Development Fund.

Mayor Val Schier said the funds, were designed to stimulate the local economy by funding projects that will create innovation in the region’s economic base. 

“This year Council took leadership in the diversification of the local economy by putting together a team dedicated solely to economic development.  

“By dividing the Economic Development Fund into two streams, economic diversification and tourism development, Council is focusing on both diversifying the economy and continuing to support tourism as one of the region’s economic mainstays,” she said.

26 applications were received totalling more than $900,000 for the two funds. However, just one of the seven private business applications for the Tourism Development Fund grants were successful, the not-for-profit Australian Conservation Volunteers.

“There were many more applications for funding than the grants programs could possibly fulfil, so we know there are great ideas out there,” Cr Schier said.

Council’s Manager of Economic Development Fiona Wilson said the Economic Development Fund – Diversification was available for the development and delivery of projects that will result in economic benefit to the region.

“These projects could include business development or employment generating activities, new industry feasibility studies, marketing projects and research collaboration,” Ms Wilson said.

“While the Tourism Development Fund was a single round in 2010/11, the Economic Development Fund – Diversification is running in two rounds this financial year with the second round opening on January 4, 2011.   

“In this round of applications for funding 19 applications fell under the Tourism Development Fund.  In January we look forward to seeing a wider range of applications under the Economic Diversification Fund,” she said.