The Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) has welcomed the opening of the $10 million Caravan Park upgrade grant program, the first of the tourism programs announced as part of the $48 million tourism package outlined in the Federal Government’s October budget.
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CIAA Chief Executive, Stuart Lamont said the targeted Federal infrastructure support package recognised the growing and critical value of caravanning to Australia’s tourism and visitor economy.
“Caravan parks continue to be the backbone of the Australian tourism industry with Australians getting out in their millions as they seek genuine and authentic experiences in some of the most amazing locations in the world”.
“We look forward to hearing about some of the amazing shovel ready projects designed to tap into the strategic objectives of THRIVE 2030”.
With applications able to be made right up until December 22, 2022, The Caravan Parks Grant will provide $10,000 to $100,000 matched dollar-for-dollar (or more) funding for eligible caravan parks to develop or improve infrastructure and assets.
Infrastructure and assets projects could include:
Developing new caravan/camping sites
Increasing the number of powered sites
Installing new cabins or substantial renovations of existing cabins
Installing new or upgraded recreational facilities
Installing new or upgraded visitor amenities
Upgrading sites, cabins or amenities to make them more accessible.
To be eligible to apply, caravan parks must:
Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
Be a legal entity that operates a caravan park within Australia with 40 or more powered sites used for short-term visitor accommodation. Powered sites refer to caravan or camping sites and cabins. Permanent accommodation or long-term sites do not count towards this number.
Be solvent
Have an account with an Australian financial institution that is located within Australian territorial boundaries
Hold public liability insurance and other relevant insurance to cover the project.
Applicants who own more than one caravan park can apply for multiple grants at different sites up to a total value of $300,000. The grants can be for similar projects at each site, or different projects and different grant amounts at each site.
The program supports swift infrastructure upgrades. All projects must be ready to commence early 2023 and finish by 15 May 2024.
Applications close: 22 December 2022, 4:00pm AEDST
Mr Lamont said his organisation expects a high level of interest for this program and a high number of applications.
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis until the funding is exhausted.
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