A pre-Victorian Budget submission, the discontinuation of the Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF) grants, increases in camp fees and the cost of police presence at events have all been key issues for VTIC in recent weeks.
TIRF grants
VTIC was disappointed with the discontinuation of the federal Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF) grants. Introduced by the previous Labor Government, the grants were designed to support the building of tourism-related infrastructure in regional Australia. VTIC is seeking compensation for applicants who spent money on their submissions and, via the National Tourism Alliance, is seeking further information from the minister responsible for tourism, the Hon. Andrew Robb, on the Government’s approach to regional tourism and grants programs.
The 2013 TQUAL grants round did proceed and the list of 89 successful projects is available here.
Pre-budget submission – Victoria
VTIC lodged its pre-budget submission to the State Government in mid-November, setting out its priorities for the 2014-15 Victorian Budget and upcoming Victorian election. Our priorities included:
- the need to properly fund regional tourism through additional resources for Regional Tourism Boards and the creation of a marketing campaign targeted at encouraging Australians to visit regional Victoria
- better collaboration between government agencies on tourism matters
- the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and
- the importance of business events to Victoria’s economy.
Police fees
The Victoria Events Industry Council (VEIC) has written to the State Government in relation to a proposed increase to the cost of having a police presence at events. This could affect Victoria’s viability and attractiveness as an events destination and could jeopardise some events in the future.
Camp fees
The State Government has released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on proposed new fees for camp sites and accommodation in national parks. VTIC has made a submission seeking further information on how these fees will be collected, distributed and spent, but supports the ‘user pays’ principle. The RIS is available here.
For copies of VTIC’s pre-budget submission, VEIC’s letter to the State Government on event policing costs or VTIC’s submission on national park campsite fees, please contact Letitia Hatton by emailing lhatton@vtic.com.au.
