A total of 35 remote roadhouses, wayside inns and caravan parks across the Territory will receive almost $4 million to upgrade their facilities.
The renovations are funded by the Territory Labor Government's highly-popular Roadhouse to Recovery grants, which help businesses improve infrastructure and visitor experience, for the Territory's booming drive tourism market.
In the Top End, 21 businesses received grants, with the Government funding more than $2.4 million for the projects. The businesses respectively chipped in an additional $2.5 million.
In Central Australia, there were 14 successful applicants, who together contributed more than $900,000. The Government contributed $1.5 million for the upgrades.
Highlights from the grant recipients include:
- Emerald Springs Roadhouse – which will build a new family cabin accommodation, a children's playground and install a swimming pool. The business received a grant of $120,000.
- Threeways Roadhouse – which will construct three new family cabins as well as an outdoor garden bar. The business received a grant of $150,000.
The Roadhouse to Recovery Grant was announced as part of the November 2020 Budget.
It offered individual roadhouses and wayside inns grants of up to $150,000 to upgrade facilities. To be eligible, operators were required to make a cash-contribution. For each $1 invested by the operator, the Government contributed $3.
The grant is designed to capitalise on the Territory's drive tourism market, and improve regional services for travellers in the NT.
COVID-19 has seen a significant reduction in international tourism in favour of drive tourism, and the Government believes the trend will continue in 2021, with huge numbers of Territorians and Australians expected to explore the natural wonders of the NT.
Quotes from Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:
"These grants are all about backing local and backing jobs – and the flow-on benefits will be a big boost for our economy.
"We will see millions of dollars of work carried out across the Top End and Central Australia, which will keep Territory tradies on the tools.
"It will also see roadhouses and wayside inns refurbished, which will give travellers more reasons to stop, and extend their stay in the Territory.
"The grants will ensure money keeps flowing locally, which will help cement our position as Australia's comeback capital.
