Qld’s tourism pledge

QUEENSLAND will spend more than $600m on tourism and major events under measures announced in the state’s 2019/20 Budget yesterday.

State Treasurer Jackie Trad committed $60 million of taxpayer funds to support the Southport Spit Master Plan (TD 27 May), which will deliver 800 new guest rooms and a potential cruise terminal to create a new access gateway for visitors to the Gold Coast.

Another $21.4 million has been budgeted for “global tourism hubs” in Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Trad allocated $41.4 million for the 94km Wangetti Trail ecotourism walk from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.

A further $24.9 million has been earmarked to help rejuvenate the Great Barrier Reef island resorts and to offer world class experiences to visitors, with an additional $3 million allocated for the Premier’s Outback Events Program.

Trad has set aside $4 million over two years to secure “blockbuster exhibitions” that will be exclusive to Brisbane, with another $9 million over three years to host the 2020 World Science Festival and extend the festival in Brisbane and regional parts of Queensland.

The State Government also pledged $35 million to upgrade the Gabba ahead of the 2020 T20 Cricket World Cup.

Trad added that $131.1 million has been set aside over five years to increase prize money for horse, greyhound and harness racing in the state.

A $193.5 million funding package has been announced for the Townsville Port channel capacity upgrade.