Growing Future Tourism

To be eligible for funding consideration an applicant must:

• be an established tourism operator in Queensland or
• a new operator, or an operator from another Australian jurisdiction, which can demonstrate active establishment of tourism operations in Queensland with significant tourism benefits to Queensland
• hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and
• be registered for GST.

Not-for-profit organisations and Queensland Local Government Authorities which provide a tourism service or experience are eligible to apply for funding under the program.

Bodies not eligible for funding under the program include:

• State, Territory and Australian Government agencies or associated agencies such as statutory bodies or government owned corporations and
• community groups and regional tourism organisations.

If a consortium submits an application, the lead partner must be an eligible organisation and be responsible for executing the Funding Agreement, managing project delivery, including progress and financial acquittal reports, if successful.

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for GFT support.

Eligible project costs may include:

• costs relating to offsite construction of tourism infrastructure, including transportation costs to project location
• tech overlay – online, digital, virtual and or augmented reality capability enhancement of an experience or tourism built attraction
• capital construction costs (including all site works required as part of the construction)
• production of final ‘for construction’ designs or equivalent
• costs of construction-related labour (external contractors), materials, equipment hire that is directly related to developing and delivering the project
• project management costs (such as external contractors) for time directly related to managing the construction of approved works but excluding executive duties and overhead charges
• costs relating to the recording of project implementation progress, such as photography, time-lapse video
• vehicle leasing or hiring directly associated with construction of the project (such as excavators).

Ineligible costs may include:

• works that are deemed as maintenance for existing infrastructure or experience
• activities that have commenced or been completed prior to approval of funding
• all preparatory work, such as planning, feasibilities studies, conceptual design, obtaining regulatory approvals, community and Traditional Owner consultation, cultural heritage management plans, and compliance processes undertaken
• tender processes
• environmental offset costs
• marketing, advertising and promotional activities including websites
• engagement or hiring permanent or temporary employees (such as, remuneration and entitlements), whether or not associated with the project
• buying or leasing real estate, including the land on which the project is located
• costs relating to the delivery of major, local and/or regional events
• soft infrastructure such as décor, furniture, linen, removable fixtures, fittings, and equipment
• equipment hire, vehicle leasing, purchasing or hiring not directly associated with the project for the purpose of construction
• infrastructure that is temporary in nature and/or with a limited installation period.

Note this list is not exhaustive. Other costs may be ineligible where it is determined they do not directly support project outcomes or the objectives of the program.

See the guidelines for full details of expenditure eligible for GFT support.

All FBC applications will be assessed against the objectives and following assessment criteria:

 1. Strategic alignment to government priorities (40%)

• priorities identified in the Queensland Government’s Towards Tourism 2032 strategy that align to fund objectives
• alignment with the Queensland Government’s Ecotourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas 2023 – 2028 strategy
• alignment with the Tourism and Events Queensland’s Nature-based Tourism Strategy 2021-2024
• alignment with relevant region’s regional tourism organisation’s Destination Tourism Plan
• demonstrates innovative and enhanced tourism products and experiences in the priority areas of coastal and marine tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, and ecotourism and sustainability
• is technically, commercially, and practically feasible and viable.

2. Economic value (40%)

• leverages private sector and other investment that attracts, grows and sustains visitation to Queensland
• delivers a value-for-money outcome to the State
• delivers regional and Queensland economic benefits and supports resilience or growth of the visitor economy
• increases overnight visitor visitation and expenditure
• will extend visitor’s length of stay in the regions
• will improve the dispersal of visitors within Queensland
• number of jobs created or supported in planning/construction and ongoing operation
• has the ability to be booked online and can be potentially included in travel itineraries
• can commence and be delivered in accordance with the timeframes outlined in this Guideline.

3. Risk and cost allocation (20%)

• feasibility study/ies
• extensive plans (including for infrastructure projects, any sections and elevations of each element of the proposal in the context of a functional layout of the overall facility)
• quantity surveyor quote/s (if applicable)
• land tenure for proposed activity location
• architectural sketches and/or detailed design drawings or substantially advanced towards gaining
• engineer design (if applicable)
• development approval or substantially advanced towards gaining
• environmental impacts, including approvals where applicable to the project
• compliance with cultural heritage duty of care where applicable
• Native Title agreement with relevant stakeholders, as required
• evidence of local authority economic development support for the project
• all other relevant approvals
• have a letter of ‘in principle’ support from local government and Traditional Owners, if required.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

To be considered, projects must:

• provide a new or improved tourism infrastructure product or experience in the priority areas of coastal and marine tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, and ecotourism and sustainability
• create new jobs in implementation/construction and ongoing operational phases
• increase overnight visitor numbers and expenditure
• extend length of visitor stay within the region
• assist in improving the dispersal of visitors within Queensland.

Your application will be considered on its merits, based on:

• how well it meets the criteria
• how it compares to other applications
• whether it provides value with money.

When assessing the extent to which the application represents value with relevant money, assessors and decision maker will have regard to:

• the overall objectives of the funding opportunity
• the evidence provided to demonstrate how your project contributes to meeting those objectives
• the relative value of the funding sought
• extent to which the application matches identified priorities

Applicants must:

• Read and understand the guidelines.
• Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
• Deliver the project as outlined in the application and agreed project plan.
• Provide complete information requirements.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) will also need to include:

• total cost of the project
• evidence of access to or secured funding to meet applicant contribution of 50 percent of project’s eligible costs and ineligible costs
• project’s implementation/construction readiness – status of current stage
• statement of benefit to Queensland – projected direct tourism benefits.

The submission of an EOI does not guarantee invitation to submit a Full Business Case (FBC).

FBC applications will need to include:

1. a detailed Project Plan which includes:

• • the project’s objectives and opportunities including economic, tourism, environmental and social benefits i.e., construction and ongoing jobs creation, increased visitation/overnight visitor expenditure
  • cost benefit analysis or similar information on how the project will deliver a return on investment, including key metrics such as the Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return and payback period
  • Gantt chart or detailed delivery/works schedule showing timeframes for all project stages up to and including project completion and implementation methodology
  • cash flow forecast (capital and operating costs, and expected project revenue)
  • risk assessment and mitigation actions
  • procurement plans including if there is intention to contract First Nations businesses and/or startups
  • obligations under the Aboriginal or Torres Strat Islander cultural Heritage Acts and have an appropriate plan that is endorsed by the Traditional Owners, if applicable
  • asset maintenance/management plans (where applicable) including how the infrastructure will be maintained in a viable and operational state for at least five (5) years after construction completion
  • evidence of capability to deliver projects of a similar value and scale.

2. company financials for the past three (3) years, signed by an approved auditor
3. evidence of applicant’s funding contribution towards project’s eligible (50 per cent) and ineligible costs towards the delivery of the project evidence confirming financial contributions from other parties, if applicable
4. evidence project will be ready to implement/construct within six (6) months of funding approval and reach practical completion by 30 June 2026
5. evidence of land ownership or landowner’s consent and, where applicable, Native Title status. Applicants must disclose any land ownership/access issues including Native Title to be resolved
6. any further identified documentation that supports statements made in the application as per mandatory eligibility criteria.

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applicants must submit an EOI via the SmartyGrants portal.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.