Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay has welcomed today’s news that applications have opened for an extra $5.5 million in funding as part of the Government’s Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund.

This additional round of funding comes in response to the high quality and large number of applications received in the first round. A total of $3 million was allocated to the best 14 projects.

The Government’s Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund helps manage the growing demand from tourists by providing communities with new or enhanced smaller infrastructure such as car parks and restrooms.

“Right across Clutha-Southland, tourism is in great shape. Clutha, Queenstown, Southland and Fiordland Regional Tourism Organisation areas have all recorded significant increases in guest nights,” Mr Barclay says.

“The reality is a lot of our smaller towns and communities experiencing this growth have a limited ability to respond to the pressures associated with it because of low ratepayer bases.

“We need to make sure we protect our beautiful scenery and landscapes, and ensure tourists continue to have great experiences in Clutha-Southland, and this fund can help our communities be better equipped to manage this.

“There are a number of opportunities to improve our infrastructure and tourism-related assets and this is one of the ways we are doing that.

“I’ll be encouraging all of our Southern councils to apply for this round of funding. I want to support our communities to put forward strong cases for a share of this fund – it’s something they can, and should, tap in to.”

Applications for the second round of the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund close on 12 April 2017. For more information visit http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/tourism/regional-mid-sized-tourism-facilities-grant-fund

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