Prime Minister delivers funding for weather impacted Queensland tourism

In the wake of devastating flooding impacting parts of Far North Queensland in the past month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $24 million recovery and resilience program for local tourism operators

Grants will flow to the region’s tourism operators who have been heavily affected ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper’s December deluge, in order to keep staff employed and to fund marketing campaigns to promote visitation.

The support comes on top of $64 million in funding announced in December.

Welcoming the package, Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive, Mark Olsen said it would provide relief for businesses that missed their peak season over Christmas.

Olsen advised “tourism operators who missed their peak season … are unlikely to see significant visitor numbers until Easter (so) it is critical for the businesses that remain isolated to receive assistance so they can continue to pay wages and make repairs necessary to resume trading once their access roads are open.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also advised that an additional $20 million had been made available to fund clean-up efforts in both the Far North and south-east of the state after weather events savaged multiple locations throughout the state in December and January.

The money will be made available to help Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Logan and far north Queensland councils, as well as state agencies to clear debris from community assets, parks, national parks, beaches and waterways.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive, Brett Fraser said the devastating storms and floods had been a massive blow, adding “some operators were just getting their feet under them following the pandemic and now they’re grappling with extreme weather events.

“We’re looking at a $300 million economic loss for tourism businesses and a loss of 1600 jobs as a result of these flooding events. The most significant challenge now facing tourism operators is the cancellation of bookings and lost revenue over the coming months.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles last week outlined a $5 million state-federal tourism industry assistance package, including the offer of $79 flights to Cairns as well as discounted accommodation packages.

Images: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (top) and December flooding on the Captain Cook Highway (below, credit; Cairns Regional Council).