Tourism monies cut as Queensland budget’s leisure funding focuses on Commonwealth Games

While delivering $250 million in funding for new sporting and tourism infrastructure, the Queensland Government’s 2014/15 budget has been condemned for slashing the budget by Tourism and Events Queensland has been slashed by $4.9 million.

While the Queensland Government frequently references tourism as key part of the State’s ‘four pillar’ economy, Treasurer Tim Nicholls’ budget cut Tourism and Events Queensland’s funding by 5% to $98.7 million.

Commenting on the funding reduction, Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the cut would impact on advertising and marketing campaigns, stating “it is disappointing (as) we need that investment to go after these big tourism targets.”

The budget did provide $160 million for ongoing preparation, planning and development of facilities for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, with Treasurer Nicholls stating “with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games fast approaching, we are on track to deliver a truly memorable sporting event.”

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the Government was investing $111 million through her department to continue with delivery of the Commonwealth Games.

Minister Stuckey stated “another $49 million has been allocated to continue work on the Commonwealth Games Village.

“Projects for 2014/15 include almost $15 million for redevelopment of the Queensland State Velodrome for track cycling, $18.7 million for new the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre and $12.6 million for the new Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre.”

In respect of tourism funding, Minister Stuckey added “we will also continue our $7 million funding for Regional Tourism Organisations. This will see continued collaboration with industry which last year saw $2.7 million in partner contributions assist in delivering 22 marketing and development projects.

“(This) budget allows us to maintain a strong focus on attracting major events – we invested in 44 major events over the 2012-13 financial year, attracting almost 690,000 visitors and contributing around $290 million to Queensland’s economy.

“Upcoming major events include the American Ballet Theatre in Brisbane in 2014, UCI Mountain Bike and Trials Championships in Cairns, and the Lawn Bowls Australian Open from 2015‐2019 on the Gold Coast.

“In addition, Queensland will host the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup – two of the world’s biggest sporting events that year.”

In recreation and sport, Treasurer Nicholls added that the budget carefully balanced increases in community services spending, stating “more Queenslanders will be given the opportunity to get active this year, with the Government’s flagship Get in the Game initiative to continue reducing the cost of getting children involved in sports, helping to ease the cost of living burden for Queensland families.”

Queensland Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Steve Dickson said the 2014/15 State Budget provided $21.5 million for Get in the Game programs this year to help get more Queenslanders active.

Minister Dickson added “so far almost 54,000 Get Started vouchers have been issued state-wide to help children with club registrations, as well as $6.8 million for equipment and training under the Get Going program and more than $14.2 million for infrastructure under the Get Playing program.

“The overwhelming success of Get in the Game programs saw the original three year budget commitment nearly tripled in 2012 to almost $48 million over three years.

"This year there is also an additional $5.8 million for priority capital works projects at active recreation centres, sports reserves and sport houses throughout the state to provide Queenslanders with more services and encourage greater participation."

Commenting on the funding of major sports infrastructure, Minister Dickson stated “our $13.4 million investment towards stadium and community sports related infrastructure will help attract major events, assist in the development of elite sport, create jobs and stimulate the local economies around each venue.

“Elite sport will be further supported with the Queensland Academy of Sport to receive $13.9 million for coaching and research programs.”

Minister Dickson said Queenslanders would also benefit from new nature-based tourism opportunities and improved accessibility to parks, concluding “this year's budget has allocated $22.7 million for national parks infrastructure, including $1.8 million to improve visitor access.

“Funding to improve visitor centres has almost doubled this year to $4.1 million, which will see important upgrades to the Gold Coast’s David Fleay Wildlife Park, Carnarvon Gorge, The Gap’s Walkabout Creek and Mon Repos Regional Park in Bundaberg.

“The budget also provides funding of $7 million over the next four years to reduce the threat to marine turtle nests from feral pigs, as part of a shared funding arrangement with the Commonwealth.” 

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