The Territory Labor Government has today announced the first recipient of the highly-popular Roadhouse to Recovery grant.
Bark Hut, which is located on the Arnhem Highway and relies heavily on drive visitation, will undergo a $1 million refurbishment, after receiving $150,000 from the Government to put towards upgrading its facilities.
The business will contribute an additional $885,000, and use the combined funding to:
- Create 50 new powered sites
- Construct 12 new accommodation units
- Build two new camp kitchen barbeque areas
- Upgrade two ablution blocks
- Install a jumping pillow for children
The upgrades will not only improve services and customer experience for Bark Hut visitors and those on their way to Kakadu National Park, but it will ensure plenty of work for Territory tradies in the area.
This was a highly competitive grant process, and other successful roadhouse, wayside inn and caravan park recipients across the Territory will be confirmed and announced in the coming days.
The $4 million Roadhouse to Recovery grant was announced as part of the November 2020 Budget.
It offered roadhouses and wayside inns up to $150,000 in grant funding to carry out upgrades to improve visitor experience.
As part of the grant, business owners were required to make a cash-contribution, with each $1 invested by the operator, $3 would be invested by the Government.
The grant is designed to capitalise on the Territory's drive tourism market, and improve regional services for travellers in the NT.
Quotes from Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:
"The Roadhouse to Recovery grants are all about building on the Territory's strengths, backing Territory businesses, and boosting Territory jobs.
"It's all about giving tourists more reasons to stop during their trip, and more reasons to stay. It's another shot in the arm for the Territory and will help cement our position as Australia's comeback capital.
"In the age of the coronavirus crisis, bucket list road-trips have gone to the top of the list – and we are capitalising on the Territory's growing drive tourism market.
"We know it's been a rough ride for the tourism sector, and these upgrades will benefit travellers and locals across the Territory.
"We will also see millions of dollars of work for local tradies as a result of these upgrades – and that means more local jobs."
Quotes from Bark Hut Owner, Grahame Wilcox:
"The Roadhouse to Recovery grant is going to be a massive help for our business.
"We opened Bark Hut in October 2020, because we knew how much potential there was.
"This funding will give our business a leg-up, and we can't wait to get started on the renovations, and to show locals and visitors just what Bark Hut has to offer."
