02 Aug 2016
Gary Higgins, Member for Daly
Improvements being made by several tourism businesses in the Litchfield area will enhance its popularity with visitors in the Top End.
They have been made possible by funding from the Northern Territory’s multi-million dollar grant program aimed at improving tourism infrastructure, attracting more visitors, encouraging them to stay longer, and accelerating growth of the tourism sector.
There’s a new grandstand for rodeo-goers at the Rum Jungle Tavern, a new Bali-style hut at Batchelor Farm to provide shading for visitors, and upgrades to the kitchen and dining area of Litchfield Motel and the café at Batchelor Museum.
A helicopter landing pad and car park will be built so scenic flights over Litchfield National Park can be offered from Wangi Falls, and the tourism offering at Daly River will be diversified through a multi-purpose, shaded pontoon on the Billabong with a barbeque and seating.
Member for Daly, Gary Higgins said, “Our $4.75 million Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund, along with the $5 million announced in the 2016 Budget, is the largest Government tourism grant program in the Territory's history.
“I am delighted to see Territory business owners take advantage of this assistance to carry out improvements for the benefit of their businesses and the Territory as a whole.
“There is strong competition for the tourism dollar and it’s imperative that our tourism infrastructure meets visitor expectations.”
The funding initiative is part of the Country Liberals' plan to drive the development of Northern Australia and build a $2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.
The latest successful funding applicants in the Litchfield area are:
Batchelor Museum: $30,000 for a café facility upgrade and a further $15,400 towards building a storage shed.
Batchelor Farm: $25,800 for construction of a new ‘Bali’ style hut.
Litchfield Motel: $100,000 for upgrade of kitchen and dining area.
NT Airwork: $40,000 towards a helicopter landing site and car park.
Rum Jungle Tavern: $60,000 towards installation of a grandstand and toilet blocks for spectators at rodeo events.
Go Wide Cattle Company: $14,575 towards the cost of safety fencing for the rodeo arena.
Rum Jungle Bungalows: $6,880 to help build an outdoor bathroom/ toilet for patrons at the BBQ in the Water Garden.
AG, NM & PY Tripcony – Daly River: $79,800 towards construction of a multi-purpose, shaded pontoon on the Billabong.
Media Contact
Sean Conway 0400 165 743