The Coalition Government will provide $60,550 in funding for the Fort Queenscliff Tourism Development Plan, Sarah Henderson, Federal Member for Corangamite, announced today.

Fort Queenscliff is one of 88 projects that will share in grants worth approximately $8.5 million under a scheme designed to improve the quality of the visitor experience in Australia, known as the T QUAL Grants—Tourism Quality Projects (TQP) Program.

“The Coalition Government has decided it was important to provide certainty to the tourism sector by honouring these grants, which were announced earlier this year,” Ms Henderson said.

“I have been very supportive of this project and made representations to the Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb AO MP, who has responsibility for the tourism portfolio, seeking this funding.”

“With clever planning, Fort Queenscliff has the potential to be a real tourism icon. An arts and culture precinct is one exciting idea but there are many other potential uses for the Fort.”

“The Development Plan will identify tourist opportunities and implementation issues based on the Fort’s military and maritime heritage.”

“Despite its best efforts, the Borough of Queenscliffe’s funding agreement with the previous government was not executed prior to the Caretaker period.”

“The recent reduction of 160 full time personnel to 60 personnel at the Fort has had a lasting impact on local businesses, schools and other service clubs and community organisations across the Borough,” Ms Henderson concluded.

18 November 2013