Exceptional assistance grants approved for FNQ tourism operators

Recovery assistance for tourism businesses hardest hit by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper continues to roll out with 73 operators offered financial support under the $10 million Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants program.

In recognition of urgency, funding decisions were made ahead of the scheduled 15 April 2024 announcement date.

Grants of up to $500,000 were announced in February for businesses of all sizes that suffered the severe impacts from the cyclone’s flooding, leaving them unable to trade due isolation for at least two weeks.

Applications were assessed in line with the Fund’s eligibility criteria to ensure funding support was appropriately allocated to the industry.

The $10 million grants program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments as part of the $24.15 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

So far, grant recipients include 23 operators located north of the Daintree River, including Cape Tribulation, and 19 businesses at Port Douglas, covering costs such as wages and salaries, fuel, rent and supplies.

The applications of a further seven tourism businesses are still under consideration.

The grants program forms a part of the $111.5 million the Australian and Queensland Governments have committed to help long-term recovery of communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Both levels of government are also supporting resilience activities with applications for the $10 million Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund open until 19 April 2024, which aims to support businesses to boost their disaster resilience through tailored infrastructure solutions.

For more information on disaster assistance or to apply, please visit: www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au