State Government gives regional tourism a funding boost

19/6/03
Tourism in regional Western Australia will benefit from a $295,000 funding package for country visitor centres as part of the State Government's Country Visitor Centre Sustainability and Enhancement Scheme (CVCSES).
Tourism Minister Clive Brown today announced successful applicants for the funding, which will be used to improve the long-term sustainability of visitor centres throughout country WA.
"Through this project, the State Government is fulfilling its election promise to provide $2million over four years to country visitor centres," Mr Brown said.
"These centres offer an important service by providing visitors to our regional areas with information and ideas to get the most out of their visit.
"Research has shown that tourists who access information from visitor centres stay longer and visit more attractions than those who don't.
"It is part of our commitment to make WA one of the world's great tourism destinations."
Under the scheme, which is renewed annually, individual country visitor centres are able to apply for up to $10,000. Visitor centres were also able to apply for a special, one-off grant of up to $25,000.
Projects benefiting all visitor centres in WA can receive grant funding of up to $100,000.
A total of 19 country visitor centres received an average grant of $6,000, and $181,000 was allocated to the Visitor Centre Association of WA for State-wide initiatives. The funds, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by recipients, will be used for a range of purposes over the next 12 months, including buying new equipment, promotional activities and upgrading of visitor facilities.
The successful applications were:
Type A Funding - Up to $10,000
City of Bunbury
Enhancement of the Bunbury Visitor Centre
Funding approved: $6,870.
Geraldton Visitor Centre
Purchase of display units
Funding approved: $790.
Harvey Visitor Centre
Employment of a promotions officer
Funding approved: $3,510.
Mandurah Visitor Centre
Purchase of display units and accessories
Funding approved: $2,200.
Nannup Visitor Centre
Production of brochures and display equipment
Funding approved: $10,220.
Roebourne Visitor Centre
Enhancement of visitor centre
Funding approved: $4,790.
Northcliffe Tourist Centre
Promotional merchandise
Funding approved: $2,200.
Dongara Visitor Centre
Production of brochures
Funding approved: $9,350.
Toodyay Visitor Centre
Connors Mill marketing plan
Funding approved: $5,720.
Kalbarri Visitor Centre
Reservation system
Funding approved: $11,000.
Norseman Tourist Bureau Inc
Design of website and brochure stand
Funding approved: $3,070.
Esperance Visitor Centre
Purchase of computers and new counters
Funding approved: $11,000.
Narrogin & Districts Tourist Bureau
Brochure display, accounting software and training
Funding approved: $1,675.
Busselton Visitor Centre Inc
Purchase, set-up of new computer/software
Funding approved: $11,000.
Dunsborough Tourist Bureau
Development and design of website
Funding approved: $11,000.
Tom Price Visitor Centre
Website, promotional material and new computer
Funding approved: $8,300.
Broome Visitor Centre
New telephone system
Funding approved: $7,320.
Derby Visitor Centre
Strategic Planning Consultant
Funding approved: $10,000.
Bridgetown Visitor Centre
New equipment, visitor information bay and display cabinet
Funding approved: $4,670.
Type B Funding - Up to $100,000
Visitor Centre Association of Western Australia Inc
2002 Top Tourist Town Awards
Funding approved: $55,000.
WA Regional Tourism Monitor
Funding approved: $63,000.
On-Line Reservation System
Funding approved: $81,400.
Minister's Office - 9222 9699