Fund launched to assist regions’ tourism facilities

Fund launched to assist regions’ tourism facilities

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has welcomed the new Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund launched today as a good start to helping communities develop small scale infrastructure that will enhance visitor experience.

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)’s new Fund provides $12 million over four years in co-funding available for the development of infrastructure such as rubbish bins, carparks, restrooms or minor water management projects.

LGNZ Vice-President Brendan Duffy says financial assistance for councils to create new or enhanced facilities that help communities respond to visitor growth is a welcome start however, for an industry worth nearly $30 billion, the Fund will only make a small contribution to the sector’s tourist infrastructure related needs.

“Some districts have a limited ability to respond to the pressure created by high or increasing levels of visitor numbers, because of their small ratepayer bases,” Mr Duffy says.

“This fund will mean some communities can afford to fund visitor-related facilities such as restrooms, carparks or minor water management projects, to help communities get closer to maximising their tourism growth potential. LGNZ encourages councils to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their applications early”.

Applications close on 13 September, with funding decisions expected to be made in mid-October. The intention of the Fund is, wherever possible, to enable territorial authorities to get projects built before the coming peak tourist season.

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