On Tuesday 15 December 2009, the Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, announced the outcome of TQUAL Grants. A total of 70 projects were approved for funding totalling $8.283 million.
This round of TQUAL Grants has utilised all of the available funding for the program. The program, including its predecessor the Australian Tourism Development Program, will be evaluated in early 2010 and future funding arrangements will be considered as part of Australian Government budget deliberations.
The TQUAL Grants are a highly competitive funding program that was formerly known as the Australian Tourism Development Program. The objective of TQUAL Grants is to stimulate sustainable growth in the Australian tourism industry by supporting initiatives that:
- Develop innovative product, services or systems within the tourism industry
- Contribute directly to long-term economic development in the host region
- Develop or support high quality visitor services and experiences.
TQUAL Grants is delivered by AusIndustry in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on behalf of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
| Applicant Name | Project Title |
| Captain Cook Cruises | Cruise n’ Coach Short Break Tours of Regional NSW |
| Coonamble Shire Council | Coonamble Eco-spa – Feasibility Assessment & Planning |
| Dillon’s Security Pty Ltd | The Mind Maze – An Interactive, Educational Optical Illusions Science Centre |
| Marine Discovery Centre Bondi Beach Inc. | Marine Discovery Eco-tours – enhancing sustainable tourism at Bondi Beach |
| Pet Porpoise Pool Pty Ltd | Pet Purpoise Pool undertakes ” Feasibility Study” for a Sustainable Future |
| Sapphire Coast Tourism Ltd | Development of the Sapphire Coast Heritage Tourism Strategy |
| The Bradman Foundation | Tourism Strategic Plan for increasing visitiation to new innovative facility |
| Yass Valley Council | Investigate re-opening the Yass Junction to Yass Town Tramway |
| Eden Marine Centre Ltd | Development of Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre Masterplan |
| Lightning Ridge Opal and Fossil Centre Inc. | Australian Opal Centre conceptual drawings and investment proposal |
| Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation | Gugumbal Interactive Indigenous Tourism Planning Project |
| Australian Inland Botanic Gardens | Conserving a significant heritage building to use as a tourist attraction, catering, training facility and toilets. |
| Capital Wines | Regional Epicurean Centre |
| Gooromon Park Pty Limited | Gooromon Park’s proposed tourism development of two country guesthouses |
| J.M.R. Pty. Ltd. | Exhibit construction for critically endangered Sumatran tigers |
| Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust | Jenolan Caves – Redesign and redevelopment southern show caves |
| Temora Aviation Museum Inc | To film and exhibit the untold war stories of Australian aviators |
| Clarence Valley Council | The Clarence, river of adventure infrastructure and product development program. |
| Pacific Coast Touring Route Inc | The Legendary Pacific Coast Tourism Initiative |
| Bullo River Pty Limited | Enhancement of tourism facilities to cater to wealthy international travellers |
| Crab Claw Pty Ltd | Crab Claw Island resort, Northern Territory-expansion of accommodation facilities |
| Tailor Tours Pty Ltd | Enhancement to the original Outback Bush BBQ Experience |
| Wildlife Management International Pty. Limited | Crocodylus Gorge Crocodile Habitat Observation Deck |
| Ipswich City Council | North Ipswich Railway Workshops Precinct Feasibility Study and Action Plan |
| Redland City Council | Minjerriba Knowledge Centre Feasibilty Study |
| Augusteyn Plumbing Service Pty Ltd | Capricorn Caves Geo Park Precinct |
| Corafee Pty Ltd | Caravan Park Prototype – 3 bedroom cabin range |
| Mount Flagstone Station Pty Ltd | Refurbishment of an historic homestead to provide quality farm-stay accommodation |
| National Park Pty Ltd | Rainforest Dining Deck at O’Reilly’s Moonlight Crag |
| National Trust of Queensland | Development of Regional Gallery, Cultural Heritage and Cellar Door Gateway |
| Advance Cairns Limited | Positioning North Queensland as an emerging tropical agri-food destination |
| Brisbane Marketing Pty Ltd | Brisbane Ambassadors for Life: Sustainable tourism development |
| Chorney Enterprises Pty Ltd | Winks at Mannum |
| Murraylands Tourism Marketing | Telling the short stories of the Murray River and Surrounds via GPS |
| Arbutus Hospitality Group Pty Ltd | Architectural masterplan development for expansion of South Australia’s leading culinary tourism and hospitality business |
| Bungaree Pty Ltd | Bungaree Station – building for the future to preserve the past |
| Arran (SA) Pty Ltd | National Rose Centre of Australia |
| Clare Country Club Pty Ltd | Dual-Occupancy Apartments at the Clare Country Club |
| Exchange Property Pty Ltd | Cu@Wallaroo – a unique group accommodation facility in Wallaroo SA |
| Gemtree Vineyards Pty Ltd | Gemtree Wetlands Ecotourism Walking Trail |
| J and JP Bloemendal Pty Ltd | Construction of deluxe, nature based tourism accommodation on the Fleurieu Peninsula |
| Pike River Developments Pty Ltd | Pike River – Luxury Eco Villas and Function Centre |
| Flinders Council | Flinders Island nature based tourism investment feasibility study |
| Hobart City Council | Battery Point Maritime Heritage Project |
| Absolutely Waterfront Pty Ltd | Sawyers Bay Shacks, Flinders Island, Tasmania. |
| LNT Pty Ltd | Improvement of visitor infrastructure at Bruny Island Cheese Co. |
| Cradle Coast Authority | “Living in a Wild World” – Mining Heritage - Engaging Visitor Experience |
| Tamar Valley Wine Route Inc | Brand development and implementation strategy for the Tamar Valley Wine Route |
| Museum of Chinese Australian History Inc | Cultural Bites: Melbourne Chinatown’s culture & culinary discovery tour |
| Moorabool Shire Council | The Avenue. Feasibility & Planning for An Interpretive & Business Enterprise Centre |
| Bob Nixon & Associates Pty Ltd | Eco Cottages Accommodation at Gisborne Peak Winery |
| Casa Luna Pty Ltd | Casa Luna Gourmet Accommodation Piazza Project |
| M Bradshaw & S Bradshaw Pty Ltd | Otways Brewing Company microbrewery and cafe development |
| Phillip Island Nature Parks | Self-guided Audio Tour – MP3 system enriches experiences with multi-lingual commentary. |
| The Butter Factory Myrtleford Pty Ltd | Myrtleford Butter Factory – Cultured Butter |
| Alpine Shire | The Great Alpine Time Machine |
| Goldfields Tourism Incorporated | Goldfields Track: Improving nature-based tourism throughout Victoria |
| Greater Shepparton City Council | United Approach to Tourism a collaborative partnership for tourism industry growth |
| City of Geraldton-Greenough | Scoping sustainable tourism opportunities at Walkaway Wind Farm |
| Gravity Discovery Centre Foundation Inc | Gingin Observatory Building Extension, Theatre Upgrade, Radio Astronomy Exhibit |
| Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association Inc | The Jewel Cave Preservation and Redevelopment Project |
| Goldbay Enterprises Pty Ltd | Fontys Pool 4 Star Tourist Accommodation Upgrade |
| Lape Pty Ltd | Expansion and upgrade to tourist and staff facilities at Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef |
| Nelson’s Provenance Pty Ltd | Foragers Field Kitchen & Cooking School. Providing innovative culinary tourism |
| Yeeda Pastoral Company Pty Ltd | Conversion of homestead and building of a “safari” style camp |
| Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association Inc | CowParade Margaret River-developing inter-regional art/event programs |
| Advocacy Services Australia Limited | Developing a best practice National Tourism Planning Code |
| Advocacy Services Australia Limited | Business Event Venue Performance Tracking System |
| The National Tourism Allianace Incorporated | National Tourism Careers Portal |
| Winemakers’ Federation of Australia Inc | Innovative visitor programs that deliver high quality regional wine tourism experiences |