Tropical Cyclone Debbie recovery funding

  • Media release

The Turnbull Government will deliver an additional $36.7 million in joint funding for the areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

The additional funding will help the vital tourism industry continue to rebuild from the devastation left by TC Debbie and builds on the $10 million tourism recovery package announced earlier this year.

Tourism is the lifeblood of the Whitsundays and supports over 5,000 jobs in the Dawson federal electorate. Local Federal Member, George Christensen MP, has been a strong advocate for his community and specifically the region's tourism industry.

In the year ending March 2017, the Whitsundays tourism region welcomed over 720,000 visitors who contributed more than $753 million to the local economy.

Through the Category D funding, $15.2 million has been provided to restore the Shute Harbour Marina and an additional $1.8 million to the Resilient Infrastructure (Betterment) Fund for the seawall betterment component at Shute Harbour.

As Shute Harbour is the closest point for vessels travelling between the Whitsunday Islands and the mainland, these projects will help attract more visitors to the area and provide a sustained tourism injection to the region.

Australia has some of the most spectacular coastal and aquatic attractions in the world, particularly in the Whitsundays region, and about 70 per cent of all of our international visitors report enjoying coastal experiences as part of their trip to Australia.

Ensuring our beaches, rivers and waterways are in pristine condition is essential for the tourism industry.

I am pleased to see an additional $20 million Environmental Recovery Package to increase already agreed funding to clean-up the coastal and aquatic attractions in the region.

An additional $600,000 has been committed to carry out additional repairs and remove debris for Bluewater Trail.

This funding reinforces the Turnbull Government's ongoing commitment to help this region get back on its feet and ensure the tourism industry continues to grow.

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