Hon Paula Bennett

Associate Minister of Tourism
8 November 2016

14 projects get tourism infrastructure funding

Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett today announced 14 tourism infrastructure projects around the country will receive $3.05 million in government co-funding support.

Through the new Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund, projects ranging from toilet facilities in Tekapo to innovative rubbish removal compactors in the Coromandel will be funded, Mrs Bennett says.

“We received a number of high quality proposals for infrastructure projects that will help ensure tourists have a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting some of our most popular spots,” Mrs Bennett says.

“The tourism sector is experiencing exceptional growth, and this fund has been set up to help communities respond to and benefit from increasing visitor numbers, by building new and enhanced facilities.

“Applicants were required to demonstrate demand for the proposed infrastructure and what priority they were placing on the project based on co-funding – criteria designed to ensure the funding would go to those communities most in need of support.”

The fund is part of a wider suite of initiatives that form the Government’s tourism strategy, which supports the tourism sector to reap the benefits of growth while managing the pressures this places on communities and infrastructure.

Budget 2016 allocated $12 million over four years for the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund, which co-funds core facilities used by tourists and enhances the experience they have while visiting.

“This year’s funding is now fully allocated due to the quality of applications and obvious demand,” Mrs Bennett says. “The Government still expects there to be a second round of funding in 2017, using additional funding.”

Media contact: James Meager 021 534 214 & Lucy Bennett 021 811 564

Successful applicants for the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund 2016

Applicant Project Co-funding
Grey District Council Parking and toilets in the Cobden Aromahana and Foreshore area $497,289
Kaikoura District Council Parking, toilets and safety barriers at Ohau Waterfall Stream $452,335
Mackenzie District Council Toilets at two locations in Tekapo $405,000
Central Otago District Council Toilets and septic tank treatment system in Tarras Township $247,280
Buller District Council Toilets and effluent system at Fox River $212,220
Marlborough District Council Toilets adjacent to the Picton i-Site and visitor information precinct $187,000
Thames Coromandel District Council Mid-sized rubbish collection compactors (six throughout district) $178,000
Thames Coromandel District Council Effluent system at Hot Water Beach $166,667
Timaru District Council Additional toilets at Cox St, Geraldine $131,000
Far North District Council Toilets in Broadwood Town $120,000
Taupō District Council Toilets and upgraded facilities at Otumuheke Stream $118,500
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Toilets and enhanced visitor entrance at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari $117,000
Whakatāne District Council Enhanced facilities for overnight camping (four sites throughout district) $110,750
South Taranaki District Council Effluent system and parking for overnight camping at Rotokare Scenic Reserve $109,146

More detailed information is available on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/tourism/regional-mid-sized-tourism-facilities-grant-fund

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