Queensland Government: Government invests $10 million in outback tourism infrastructure
The Palaszczuk Government will invest $10 million in outback tourism infrastructure including $2.2 million over two years to expand and refurbish the Australian Workers Heritage Centre in Barcaldine.Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the funding would go towards a series of projects for Western Queensland. "This investment will give a leg-up to the outback's growing tourism sector," the Premier said."More and more people want to travel to western Queensland every year as they discover great attractions like the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Australia's Dinosaur Trail."In years to come I hope our investment in infrastructure and attractions helps to create a great outback tourism trail so visitors stay for longer and spend more in western Queensland." Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the government's $10 million Outback Tourism Infrastructure Fund was in addition to the $36 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure and Experience Development Program announced during the election."Today's announcement is a testament to the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to growing Queensland's $25 billion tourism industry," she said."During the election we invested an extra $170 million in this space and we continue to deliver real dollars to ensure we're supporting tourism operators in regional Queensland."
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones announced the funding for the Australian Workers Heritage Museum at the Labour Day March in Barcaldine yesterday.
Ms Jones said the Australian Workers Heritage Centre was the only national attraction dedicated to the history of Australian workers.
"This iconic centre tells the history and the stories of Australian workers and is a key tourist attraction on the Queensland Heritage Trails Network," she said.
"Our $2.2 million investment will help deliver a new entrance building with street frontage, improvements to the outback education and excursion centre and a new exhibition telling the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers.
"We will also see a new café, retail centre, audio visual presentation and conference room as well as major upgrades to displays and exhibitions."
Ms Jones said the project would drive tourism, employment and economic returns for the outback.
"We want to support outback Queensland with new investment in cultural and heritage tourism, unique education experiences, training and employment pathways and economic growth," she said.
Ms Jones said the Labour Day long weekend was a great opportunity to visit Barcaldine and announce funding for the Australian Workers Heritage Centre.
"It's great to be in Barcaldine to celebrate with a community that has had such a massive impact on the labour movement and Australian politics.
"Barcaldine was the centre of the "Great Shearers Strike" in May 1891 when close to 3000 striking shearers marched under the Tree of Knowledge to protest poor working conditions and low wages.
"Barcaldine remains an icon of the Australian Labor Party and all Australian workers to this day."