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Tourism and Hospitality Support

Tourism Innovation Grant Program

This program closed Friday 8 April 2022. All applicants have now been notified of the outcome.

There was an extremely impressive level of interest for this program, with a total of 331 applications received, demonstrating the creativity and innovation that the people behind our tourism industry are renowned across the globe for.

Applications were assessed by external independent panels comprising tourism industry experts.

Eighteen projects across the state that have been successful in securing funding through this program:

Tourism Innovation Grant recipients- Tier 1

Project and recipient

Activity

Location

Funding

The Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School and Walled Kitchen Garden (Stage 2)

Dunn and Demanet Pty Ltd

The Agrarian Kitchen’s visitor experience will be improved by further developing the 1-acre walled garden within Ward C’s exercise yard at Willow Court in New Norfolk, fit out an unused room in the current Eatery building and re-turfed and landscape to offer shaded areas. Guided garden tours and gardening classes will also be offered as part of the development of an outdoor space for destination weddings and events.

New Norfolk

$249,999

Fulton Creek Farm Escapes
J.J. and A.M. McNeill

An expansion of the mixed farming enterprise with a new agritourism venture, including the new build of bespoke accommodation on-farm, seasonal experiences, produce tastings, sales and first-hand experiences in sustainable horticultural production, renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Forthside

$249,000

West Kentish Visitor Attraction Project

Lake Barington Estate

New accommodation and a cellar door to increase overnight visitation and agritourism opportunities in the Western Wilds and Northern Forage Journeys.

West Kentish

$249,000

Beyond the Bikes

Maydena Adventure Pty Ltd

Maydena Bike Park’s facilities will be diversified to cater to a more generic visitor audience. This will also ensure that the park's first global mountain bike event next year (Enduro World Series) is ready to cater for a major increase in visitation.

Maydena

$249 950

Dark Sky Event Hub

McHenry Distillery Pty Ltd

An upgrade of the current observatory to provide night sky astronomical viewing by including a training of three-night sky guides, amenities for cold nights and a projector and computer to replay night sky observations on cloudy nights.

Port Arthur

$78,000

Freycinet Paddle Boards, SUP & Outdoor Hire Expansion of Outdoor Equipment Hire

Rajvinder Kaur Sahota

The range of equipment hire including camping, outdoor, beach, surfing and fishing equipment will be increased and able to be provided to accommodation, allowing visitors to explore the area’s natural assets through self-guided or packaged tours.

Coles Bay

$64,816

Pieman River Gold Cruise

Tarkine Wilderness Pty Ltd

A new cruise in the Pierman River and guided walk to the historic gold mining site of Nancy Creek. The project includes the modification to an existing vessel for mooring, passenger experience and accessibility requirements, construction of boardwalks at the landing site and the construction of a new cruise and activities office.

Corinna

$215,000

The House of Splendid

The Splendid Gin Pty Ltd

The new House of Splendid distillery will offer tours and experiences, advanced distilling and production, functions, events, hospitality, and retail in Swansea.

Swansea

$249,900

The Bond Store, Stanley Village

The Trustee for Stanley Village Trust

A new accommodation product on the waterfront in Stanley that repurposes the historic bluestone warehouse into a luxury, contemporary accommodation, building on Stanley’s reputation of uniqueness and history.

Stanley

$249,000

Coastal Waters Boat for Bathurst Harbour

Airlines of Tasmania Pty Ltd

Airlines of Tasmania (Par Avion) will procure a larger boat so that it can enter coastal waters in Port Davey, allowing access to new locations such as Spain Bay, the Davey River and Davey Gorge.

Melaleuca

$155,672*

*The Department of State Growth is currently liaising with grant applicants regarding Grant Deeds terms, including funding conditions and payment schedules.

Tourism Innovation Grant - Tier 2

Recipient

Activity

Location

Funds requested

Cape Raoul Wilderness Cruise

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Pty Ltd

A state-of-the-art $1.8 million catamaran to deliver coastal wilderness cruises directly from Port Arthur Historic Site to extend the offering of the outdoor museum and encourage visitors to spend more time exploring the site.

Port Arthur

$900,000

Cradle Mountain Retreat

Stay Tasmania Pty Ltd

A boutique 36-room modern pods accommodation experience at Cradle Mountain set to attract higher yielding visitors on touring holidays. The project will be designed to be a year-round indoor and outdoor experience, including bathing tarn, fire pits and a restaurant.

Cradle Mountain

$1,000,000

Dune by Kittawa Lodge

The Trustee for the A.S.N.S. Trust

An entirely off-grid product, which will include a fine dining restaurant and bar, day spa, and a premium events space.

King Island

$800,000

Flinders Island – Eco-Camp Walking Adventure

World Expeditions Services Pty Ltd

Semi-permanent eco-camps on Flinders Island, delivering comfort and experiential benefits that are sought by hiking and multi-activity clientele.

Flinders Island

$519,755

Glencoe

Cooltrans Pty Ltd

Diversifying Glencoe into an integrated agritourism-driven business that includes a tiered range of accommodation, a showcase of large-scale beef and merino wool production, event space and tour experiences.

Falmouth

$1,000,000

Lark@Pontville

Lark Distilling Co Ltd

Tasmanian Whisky Discovery Centre will showcase all that the Tasmanian Whisky Industry has to offer. Designed by March Studios, the space will feature a tasting bar, distillery map, training academy and conference facilities.

Pontville

$1,000,000

Standup Point Camp

Three Capes Lodge Walk Pty Ltd

The Standup Point Camp will provide guests with a luxury tent-based accommodation  to use as the walkers’, as part of the Three Capes Walk long weekend offering.

Port Arthur

$250,000

Tin Valley Brewery and Distillery

The Trustee for the Valley Trust

A brewery, distillery and gin lounge situated on one of the trails in the Blue Derby Mountain Bike Network. It will provide a focal point for groups of riders and non-riders alike to come together for a shared experience.

Derby

$300,000

  • FAQs
  • FAQs

    Can I receive feedback on my application?

    We can provide general feedback on your application via email.

    Please send through an email to ask@business.tas.gov.au. We will aim to provide feedback as soon as possible but due to the high number of applications it could take up to eight weeks.

    The Department did not assess applications but administered the process. We will be working through the panel recommendations to provide feedback to applicants who request it via email.

    If I am unhappy with the outcome of my application, can I appeal the decision?

    All decisions are based on the eligibility of the application along with its assessment against the Assessment Criteria, which can be found in the Program Guidelines.

    All decisions are final.

    Why did it take so long to find my project’s outcome? We acknowledge that this process took longer than initially expected, however, this was a result of the requirement of independent assessors to diligently assess all 331 applications received.

    The total funding sought through the applications far exceeded the funding committed to the program.

    Why were the two tiers assessed separately?

    Given the large number of funds requested, two independent assessment panels assessed Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications separately.

    If all applications were assessed in only one tier, there was the potential that larger successful grant requests of $1 million would use up the total funding available very quickly.

    This approach meant more projects have the chance of being funded.

    How much funding was allocated to each tier? Funding was allocated to each tier based on the percentage of total grant funding requested.

    I.e. 24% of total funding requested was from Tier 1 applications, so 24% of the total funding available was allocated to that Tier.

    Likewise, 76% of funding of total funding requested was from Tier 2 applications, so 76% of the total funding available was allocated to that Tier.

    This approach was endorsed by the Program’s independent probity advisor.

    Why has some successful project started work if the program was for new projects?
    Due to the delay in the assessment process, applicants were advised that if they had not started their project at the time of the application closing date (8 April 2022) they were eligible to receive funding towards their project through the program.

    Their project was not eligible for funding if it was already completed by 8 April 2022.

    Who assessed the applications?

    WLF Accounting and Advisory undertook independent preliminary moderation of all applications against the selection criteria.

    Following this, one independent expert panel assessed Tier 1 applications, and another assessed the Tier 2 applications.

    How were conflicts of interest with the assessment panels controlled?

    The Department of State Growth engaged an independent probity advisor to ensure the impartiality of this process.

    All panel members who had a conflict of interest were required to declare this before assessing each application and were managed on a case-by-case basis.

    How are you measuring success of the funded projects?

    Successful applications will be required to provide acquittal reports and data to demonstrate that their funding was used as it was intended and as per the funding agreements.

  • Objective
  • Objective

    The Tourism Innovation Grants Program was developed in alignment with the key priorities outlined in the T21 Visitor Economy Action Plan:

    1. Rebuilding Visitation
    2. Restoring access
    3. Supporting our people - business owners
    4. Shaping our future

    Rebuilding visitation to the state requires a supply of new visitor products and experiences to increase regional dispersal and repeat visitation to the state.

    The program seeks to encourage existing and prospective businesses in Tasmania’s tourism sector to realise innovative projects.

    Grants of up to $1 million were available with a minimum application value of $50,000. A total of $8 million in funding has been allocated to the program.

    View the full program guidelines.

    Applications for this program closed Friday 8 April 2022.

  • FAQs
  • FAQs

    Can I receive feedback on my application?

    We can provide general feedback on your application via email.

    Please send through an email to ask@business.tas.gov.au. We will aim to provide feedback as soon as possible but due to the high number of applications it could take up to eight weeks.

    The Department did not assess applications but administered the process. We will be working through the panel recommendations to provide feedback to applicants who request it via email.

    If I am unhappy with the outcome of my application, can I appeal the decision?

    All decisions are based on the eligibility of the application along with its assessment against the Assessment Criteria, which can be found in the Program Guidelines.

    All decisions are final.

    Why did it take so long to find my project’s outcome? We acknowledge that this process took longer than initially expected, however, this was a result of the requirement of independent assessors to diligently assess all 331 applications received.

    The total funding sought through the applications far exceeded the funding committed to the program.

    Why were the two tiers assessed separately?

    Given the large number of funds requested, two independent assessment panels assessed Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications separately.

    If all applications were assessed in only one tier, there was the potential that larger successful grant requests of $1 million would use up the total funding available very quickly.

    This approach meant more projects have the chance of being funded.

    How much funding was allocated to each tier? Funding was allocated to each tier based on the percentage of total grant funding requested.

    I.e. 24% of total funding requested was from Tier 1 applications, so 24% of the total funding available was allocated to that Tier.

    Likewise, 76% of funding of total funding requested was from Tier 2 applications, so 76% of the total funding available was allocated to that Tier.

    This approach was endorsed by the Program’s independent probity advisor.

    Why has some successful project started work if the program was for new projects?
    Due to the delay in the assessment process, applicants were advised that if they had not started their project at the time of the application closing date (8 April 2022) they were eligible to receive funding towards their project through the program.

    Their project was not eligible for funding if it was already completed by 8 April 2022.

    Who assessed the applications?

    WLF Accounting and Advisory undertook independent preliminary moderation of all applications against the selection criteria.

    Following this, one independent expert panel assessed Tier 1 applications, and another assessed the Tier 2 applications.

    How were conflicts of interest with the assessment panels controlled?

    The Department of State Growth engaged an independent probity advisor to ensure the impartiality of this process.

    All panel members who had a conflict of interest were required to declare this before assessing each application and were managed on a case-by-case basis.

    How are you measuring success of the funded projects?

    Successful applications will be required to provide acquittal reports and data to demonstrate that their funding was used as it was intended and as per the funding agreements.

  • Objective
  • Objective

    The Tourism Innovation Grants Program was developed in alignment with the key priorities outlined in the T21 Visitor Economy Action Plan:

    1. Rebuilding Visitation
    2. Restoring access
    3. Supporting our people - business owners
    4. Shaping our future

    Rebuilding visitation to the state requires a supply of new visitor products and experiences to increase regional dispersal and repeat visitation to the state.

    The program seeks to encourage existing and prospective businesses in Tasmania’s tourism sector to realise innovative projects.

    Grants of up to $1 million were available with a minimum application value of $50,000. A total of $8 million in funding has been allocated to the program.

    View the full program guidelines.

    Applications for this program closed Friday 8 April 2022.

    Objective

    Objective

    The Tourism Innovation Grants Program was developed in alignment with the key priorities outlined in the T21 Visitor Economy Action Plan:

    1. Rebuilding Visitation
    2. Restoring access
    3. Supporting our people - business owners
    4. Shaping our future

    Rebuilding visitation to the state requires a supply of new visitor products and experiences to increase regional dispersal and repeat visitation to the state.

    The program seeks to encourage existing and prospective businesses in Tasmania’s tourism sector to realise innovative projects.

    Grants of up to $1 million were available with a minimum application value of $50,000. A total of $8 million in funding has been allocated to the program.

    View the full program guidelines.

    Applications for this program closed Friday 8 April 2022.

    FAQs

    FAQs

    Can I receive feedback on my application?

    We can provide general feedback on your application via email.

    Please send through an email to ask@business.tas.gov.au. We will aim to provide feedback as soon as possible but due to the high number of applications it could take up to eight weeks.

    The Department did not assess applications but administered the process. We will be working through the panel recommendations to provide feedback to applicants who request it via email.

    If I am unhappy with the outcome of my application, can I appeal the decision?

    All decisions are based on the eligibility of the application along with its assessment against the Assessment Criteria, which can be found in the Program Guidelines.

    All decisions are final.

    Why did it take so long to find my project’s outcome? We acknowledge that this process took longer than initially expected, however, this was a result of the requirement of independent assessors to diligently assess all 331 applications received.

    The total funding sought through the applications far exceeded the funding committed to the program.

    Why were the two tiers assessed separately?

    Given the large number of funds requested, two independent assessment panels assessed Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications separately.

    If all applications were assessed in only one tier, there was the potential that larger successful grant requests of $1 million would use up the total funding available very quickly.

    This approach meant more projects have the chance of being funded.

    How much funding was allocated to each tier? Funding was allocated to each tier based on the percentage of total grant funding requested.

    I.e. 24% of total funding requested was from Tier 1 applications, so 24% of the total funding available was allocated to that Tier.

    Likewise, 76% of funding of total funding requested was from Tier 2 applications, so 76% of the total funding available was allocated to that Tier.

    This approach was endorsed by the Program’s independent probity advisor.

    Why has some successful project started work if the program was for new projects?
    Due to the delay in the assessment process, applicants were advised that if they had not started their project at the time of the application closing date (8 April 2022) they were eligible to receive funding towards their project through the program.

    Their project was not eligible for funding if it was already completed by 8 April 2022.

    Who assessed the applications?

    WLF Accounting and Advisory undertook independent preliminary moderation of all applications against the selection criteria.

    Following this, one independent expert panel assessed Tier 1 applications, and another assessed the Tier 2 applications.

    How were conflicts of interest with the assessment panels controlled?

    The Department of State Growth engaged an independent probity advisor to ensure the impartiality of this process.

    All panel members who had a conflict of interest were required to declare this before assessing each application and were managed on a case-by-case basis.

    How are you measuring success of the funded projects?

    Successful applications will be required to provide acquittal reports and data to demonstrate that their funding was used as it was intended and as per the funding agreements.