TQUOL grants are grants from the Commonwealth government to allow development in tourism infrastructure, especially in small to medium sized businesses. There are always a few grants to zoos but this year there seem to be more than usual. The grants are on a dollar to dollar basis (ie if the Feds put up $100000 they expect the business to put up at least $100000 as well). The figures here are the size of the federal grant, not the cost of the project. The project descriptions are those used in the announcement. There were a total of 117 grants of which the following 10 would be of interest to zoochatters.
Nabiac NSW $46.000.
Installation of a tasting centre, bee hives, plants and landscaping at The Australian Native Bee Sanctuary & Honey Tasting Bar at Honeycomb Valley Farm. This initiative will deliver benefits including social, environmental, expanded employment opportunities, increased investment within the regional economy and the creation of Australia's first native bee sanctuary.
Port Maquarie NSW $110,000
Construction of a crocodile exhibit at the Billabong Koala & Wildlife Park, Port Macquarie. This project is aimed at further engaging visitors, encouraging them to spend the whole day exploring the Park and the surrounding region.
Coffs Harbour NSW $108,640
Production of a ‘Conceptual Development Approval’ of the Pet Porpoise Pool ‘Master Plan’, Coffs Harbour. The project will enable the multi award winning park to increase visitation to the park and the region, ultimately creating more jobs through direct and indirect employment, increasing the economic value in our region’s economy.
Alice Springs NT $43,470
Alice Springs Dreaming. Construction of a cultural venue in Alice Springs.The project will provide a cultural activity venue; provide a venue for wildlife displays and interaction; develop a venue for local indigenous musicians; encourage private investment; improve the quality of the backpacker hostel, and; provides a new night time experience for all backpackers in Alice Springs.
Beewah Qld $110,000
Construction of Stage 1 of the 'Africa at Australia Zoo' exhibit, Beerwah. This project will have a significant impact on tourism in Australia, increasing visitors and supporting the local economy at a time when Queensland needs it the most.
Cairns Qld $110,000
Design, engineering and construction of additional infrastructure at Cairns ZOOm adventure course inside the Cairns Wildlife Dome Zoo. The project will provide infrastructure required within the existing building for Cairns ZOOm to be the only indoor, day/night adventure experience in Queensland which will appeal to local, domestic and international markets.
Halls Gap Vic $48,600
Construction of a giraffe/zebra complex and feeding area at Halls Gap Zoo in Victoria's Central Highlands region. The feeding area will allow visitor to have a close encounter with the giraffes and the project will add a high yield activity to the region's tourism offering.
Mansfield Vic $100,000
Addition of a white lion exhibit and entry area at Mansfield Zoo in Victoria's High Country region. This project will give Victoria its first white lions and add more hands on experiences to the zoo's offering.
Melbourne Vic $100,000
Construction and fit out of a shipwreck exhibit at Melbourne Aquarium. Using the latest technology and conservation practices, the project will separate the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium into two different areas, allowing the opportunity to exhibit new and varied animals not ever seen before in Australian aquaria. This will strengthen the Aquarium’s tourism offering, and in turn, Melbourne's tourism offering.
Ballarat Vic $110,000
Construction of the Crocodile Billabong Experience and Conservation Centre in Ballarat. The Centre will house large freshwater crocodiles and allow educational and information sessions to be held at the Ballarat Wildlife and Reptile Park in the Goldfields region of Victoria. This project will provide an educational resource, and creating a new tourist opportunity in the region.
Nabiac NSW $46.000.
Installation of a tasting centre, bee hives, plants and landscaping at The Australian Native Bee Sanctuary & Honey Tasting Bar at Honeycomb Valley Farm. This initiative will deliver benefits including social, environmental, expanded employment opportunities, increased investment within the regional economy and the creation of Australia's first native bee sanctuary.
Port Maquarie NSW $110,000
Construction of a crocodile exhibit at the Billabong Koala & Wildlife Park, Port Macquarie. This project is aimed at further engaging visitors, encouraging them to spend the whole day exploring the Park and the surrounding region.
Coffs Harbour NSW $108,640
Production of a ‘Conceptual Development Approval’ of the Pet Porpoise Pool ‘Master Plan’, Coffs Harbour. The project will enable the multi award winning park to increase visitation to the park and the region, ultimately creating more jobs through direct and indirect employment, increasing the economic value in our region’s economy.
Alice Springs NT $43,470
Alice Springs Dreaming. Construction of a cultural venue in Alice Springs.The project will provide a cultural activity venue; provide a venue for wildlife displays and interaction; develop a venue for local indigenous musicians; encourage private investment; improve the quality of the backpacker hostel, and; provides a new night time experience for all backpackers in Alice Springs.
Beewah Qld $110,000
Construction of Stage 1 of the 'Africa at Australia Zoo' exhibit, Beerwah. This project will have a significant impact on tourism in Australia, increasing visitors and supporting the local economy at a time when Queensland needs it the most.
Cairns Qld $110,000
Design, engineering and construction of additional infrastructure at Cairns ZOOm adventure course inside the Cairns Wildlife Dome Zoo. The project will provide infrastructure required within the existing building for Cairns ZOOm to be the only indoor, day/night adventure experience in Queensland which will appeal to local, domestic and international markets.
Halls Gap Vic $48,600
Construction of a giraffe/zebra complex and feeding area at Halls Gap Zoo in Victoria's Central Highlands region. The feeding area will allow visitor to have a close encounter with the giraffes and the project will add a high yield activity to the region's tourism offering.
Mansfield Vic $100,000
Addition of a white lion exhibit and entry area at Mansfield Zoo in Victoria's High Country region. This project will give Victoria its first white lions and add more hands on experiences to the zoo's offering.
Melbourne Vic $100,000
Construction and fit out of a shipwreck exhibit at Melbourne Aquarium. Using the latest technology and conservation practices, the project will separate the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium into two different areas, allowing the opportunity to exhibit new and varied animals not ever seen before in Australian aquaria. This will strengthen the Aquarium’s tourism offering, and in turn, Melbourne's tourism offering.
Ballarat Vic $110,000
Construction of the Crocodile Billabong Experience and Conservation Centre in Ballarat. The Centre will house large freshwater crocodiles and allow educational and information sessions to be held at the Ballarat Wildlife and Reptile Park in the Goldfields region of Victoria. This project will provide an educational resource, and creating a new tourist opportunity in the region.
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