AusLeisure

With phrases like "tight rein on expenditure" and "unprecedented decline in revenue", the Western Australian Government’s 2015/16 budget has included few new funding measures, however, tourism and events funding has received a $20 million boost.

The $20 million will include an additional $11 million for regional tourism marketing and $9 million for special events.

Welcoming the additional $11 million, Tourism Council Western Australia Chief Executive Evan Hall stated “investing this $11 million in promoting Western Australia as a good-value destination for visitors will attract at least $209 million in additional tourism spend in the State and create 1,400 jobs.

"This $11 million is critical if we are to have any chance of competing with states like New South Wales, which has budgeted an additional $125 million to grow its tourism economy."

The budget papers showed additional funding over four years for events funding, but unlike previous years, made no specific mention of the V8 Supercars and Perth International Golf tournament.

Tourism WA confirmed negotiations for both events were well underway and would be accounted for in base funding.

​54 regional events are to be sponsored through Tourism WA’s 2015/6 Regional Events Scheme, including outback rodeos, a wine festival, an Aboriginal gourmet experience and a cycling event.

Western Australian Tourism Minister Kim Hames explained “regional events are a vital part of the Government’s strategy to grow the value of tourism to $12 billion by 2020.

“Events provide incentive for people to travel to a range of metropolitan and regional locations, which helps build local businesses and the State’s economy.

“Of the $8.3 billion visitors spent in WA last financial year, $3.5 billion was spent in regional WA.  We want to see that grow to $4.75 billion in the next five years and regional events are key to that goal.”

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the Royalties for Regions investment would help build vibrancy and sustainability in local centres through a combination of tourism income and community involvement.

Minister Redman added “regional events deliver social and economic benefits to local communities, supporting existing businesses and encouraging diversity in new ones.”

Nine events receiving funding through the scheme for the first time are the Porongurup Wine Festival, Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia - Amazing Albany National Rally, Lake Argyle Swim, Mullewa Muster and Rodeo, Onslow Rodeo, Cossack Art Awards, Kambarang - South West Aboriginal Gourmet Experience, Toodyay Picnic Race Day and the 2015 Beverley Heroic.

The scheme will also continue to support popular events such as the Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash, Nannup Music Festival, Grapes and Gallops Festival, Western Australian Goldfields PGA Championship and the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival.

Amid a reduction in Western Australia's Royalties for Regions expenditure, $18 million has been allocated for a new regional headquarters for the Department of Parks and Wildlife in Bunbury.

Images shows the Onslow Rodeo.

16th April 2015 - TOURISM FORUM AIMED AT TAKING WESTERN AUSTRALIA BEYOND RESOURCES

9th July 2014 - TOURISM BOOST CREATES 2,000 JOBS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

15th May 2013 - 45 REGIONAL EVENTS TO RECEIVE EVENTSCORP FUNDING

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