Western Australian events industry to share in $77 million support package
Event organisers in Western Australia are set to share in funding to cover the costs of lost revenue due to the ongoing COVID restrictions and border closure.
The Western Australian Government has announced a new $77 million support package to help those businesses most affected by the decision to delay the full reopening of the state’s borders including the events, tourism and aviation sectors.
The Safe Transition Industry Support Package includes a $10 million extension and expansion of the Getting the Show Back on the Road Program to cover up to 75% of lost ticket sales where a Western Australian Government mandate directly requires an event to be cancelled; self-cancelled events linked to the border delay decision; and eligible substantially scaled back events that proceed.
A $3 million Event Suppliers Support Program will provide payments to eligible event suppliers for ticketed events with $10,000 grants for sole traders, $20,000 to small businesses and $50,000 to large businesses with pre-COVID annual turnover of more than $1 million.
The package also includes a $20 million Tourism Support Program to provide assistance of $10,000 to sole traders and $20,000 to employing businesses to offset expenses incurred in preparation for the initially scheduled full border opening; and $15 million Tourism Deposit Refund Program to provide assistance of up to $50,000 to eligible tourism businesses that have refunded deposits from some cancelled interstate and international bookings.
Other tourism and travel-related support includes a $10 million boost to the existing Aviation Recovery Fund as part of the Reconnect WA package - taking the total in this fund to $75 million.
A $3 million Travel Agent Support Fund will offer grants of up to $10,000 for eligible home-bases businesses and $20,000 grants to eligible brick-and-mortar businesses.
Images: Perth's Origin Fields festival was cancelled just before New Year's Eve 2021. Credit: Origin Fields.
Related Articles
Published since 1997 - Australasian Leisure Management Magazine is your go-to resource for sports, recreation, and tourism. Enjoy exclusive insights, expert analysis, and the latest trends.
Mailed to you six times a year, for an annual subscription from just $99.
Get business and operations news for $12 a month - plus headlines emailed twice a week. Covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism, and venues.