HVWTA SUCCEEDS IN SECURING GRANT FUNDING FROM LOCAL COUNCILS

Off the back of a very difficult beginning to 2020, we are pleased to report we have been successful in securing grant funding for destination marketing from Cessnock and Singleton Councils as part of the many Bushfire Recovery Grants currently on offer. Not only does this show great support from our local LGA’s in assisting us through difficult trading conditions, it will also allow us to continue to unlock further funding under the guise of The Wine Country Tourism Alliance (The Alliance), by showing our ability to work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for Hunter Valley Wine Country.

Singleton Councils Commitment to date:

• $100k: For The Alliance Destination Marketing Program from the $1m Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements payment.
• Apply for a further $100k from the Bushfire Community Resilience & Economic Recovery Program to support The Alliance Destination Marketing Program.

Cessnock Councils Commitment to date:

• $100k: Provide funding for Destination Marketing encouraging the current ‘open for business’ campaign to support the immediately affected tourism industry from the $1m Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements payment.

Further opportunities for grant funding we are currently working on with our stakeholders include:

• Stream 1 of the Austrade $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery (RTBR) grants program - $2m. These funds need to be applied for by LGA’s (Local Government Areas - Councils) and RTO’s (Regional Tourism Operators – Destination North Sydney Surrounds (DSSN)). Stream 1 allows each of the eligible LGA’s and RTO’s to apply for up to $30k each for events, concerts, festivals, new business events or other visitor attractions and initiatives in fire-affected regions to assist the recovery effort. The aim is to support initiatives that celebrate what’s unique about that local community to give international and domestic visitors a reason to visit and return, bringing the economic benefits of tourism, but also providing the community with a positive focus in the wake of the fires. We will continue to work with both Cessnock and Singleton Councils and DSSN under the guise of The Alliance to successfully secure some of these funds.
• Stream 2 of the Austrade $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery (RTBR) grants program - $7.25m. Details still to be made available and applications are not yet open.

ENDS

For further information or comment, please contact Christina Tulloch, President Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association. Ph: 02 4998 7580 or 0407 482 701.