No Images? Click here $100M MORE FOR TOURISM IN REGIONAL NSWDeputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro today announced $100 million will be available for new tourism projects across regional NSW with round two of the $300 million Regional Growth—Environment and Tourism Fund now open. Mr Barilaro said of the $100 million, up to $50 million will be available for regionally iconic tourism activation projects that cost over $5 million. “We want to see your big projects now—projects that will help to enliven and kick-start local economies, attracting tourists while showcasing the impressive environmental assets our regions have to offer,” Mr Barilaro said. “Tourism is the lifeblood of many NSW regional communities, attracting domestic and international visitors, creating new jobs and making those towns even better places to live.” Mr Barilaro said the remaining $50 million would be available for eligible applicants who had strong projects but were unsuccessful at the Expression of Interest stage in round one earlier this year. The Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to the delivery of infrastructure projects which improve the productivity and competitiveness of the State under Restart NSW. Applications for the fund will be open from 13 August to 21 September, 2018. For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au. RUGBY AUSTRALIA INVITES NSW FARMERS TO BLEDISLOE CUPTo ease the burden and help put a smile on Aussie farmers’ faces, Rugby Australia is offering all NSW Farmers associated with rugby clubs across the State, a ticket offer to the Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney tomorrow night. Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said, “We know the offer of Bledisloe Cup tickets will do nothing to ease the burden on the state’s farmers but we hope we can help to put a smile on the faces of a country family by showing them a great night at the rugby. “It has been fantastic to see the rugby community rallying behind our farmers and we know rugby is a huge part of the lives of a lot of families across these drought-affected areas.” In addition, Rugby Australia will provide 30 signed limited-edition Qantas Wallabies jerseys to selected regional NSW clubs in drought-stricken areas to auction off for their local farmers. Tickets are still available to the Bledisloe Cup at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night, with kick-off at 7:45pm. Click here to purchase. NEW INTERACTIVE ROAD TRIPS PLANNER FOR NSWA cutting edge digital planning tool encouraging road trippers to discover more of rural and regional NSW has been launched by the Government in a new Road Trips campaign. Fifteen bespoke road trip itineraries are available on visitnsw.com with an interactive trip planner created by the State’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said, “Whether you’re a foodie wanting to explore the State’s vast array of fresh produce and wineries, an adventurer looking for the best surfing spots along the coast, a family seeking a nature based outback experience or a retiree looking to hit the road, these interactive maps will help you find your perfect NSW road trip. “Destination NSW is the first in the Australian tourism industry to launch Visit www.visitnsw.com/roadtrips. SHORT-TERM HOLIDAY LETTING POLICY TO GO AHEADShort-term holiday letting will have tougher but fairer regulation from 2019, after the NSW Parliament passed the Government’s plan for the industry. Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the short-term holiday letting reforms bolster NSW’s sharing economy while clamping down on unruly guests. The mandatory Code will come into force next year, and will apply to online accommodation platforms, letting agents, hosts and guests across the State. “Under our ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy, hosts or guests who commit two serious breaches of the Code in two years will be banned for five years, and be listed on an exclusion register,” Mr Kean said. Amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act are also being made so owners’ corporations can pass by-laws to ban short-term letting in their block, if the host is not present. Visit www.fairtrading.com.au. AUSTRALIAN TOURISM EXCHANGE APPLICATIONS OPENApplications to attend Australia’s largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business event, Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), are open. ATE brings together Australia’s tourism industry in a forum to showcase their products directly to tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world, through a combination of scheduled business appointments and networking events. ATE 2019 will be held from 8-12 April, 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Registration for all delegates will take place on Monday 8 April, followed by appointments and social functions from Tuesday 9 April to Friday 12 April, 2019. Tourism Australia is offering a 25 per cent discount off the total participation costs at ATE (applied at the time of acceptances opening) to new sellers that meet the event criteria. Registration is open until 14 September, visit events.tourism.australia.com. BARILARO'S CALL: GET OUT FOR THE DROUGHTThe Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Small Business and Skills John Barilaro has called for city dwellers to spend a weekend in regional NSW to help support businesses and communities that are feeling the effects of drought. Mr Barilaro said it is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways people in the city can support regional towns and cities. “My callout today is this – it’s a simple callout: Get out for the drought,” Mr Barilaro told Parliament House during Question Time yesterday. “Even though we are in drought, our cafes are still brewing coffee, our shops are still open, we are still in business. “Some of the most beautiful iconic experiences are there ready for you to enjoy today. “Support our businesses by getting out and spending some money in our regions." Mr Barilaro also acknowledged the enormous fundraising efforts and donations that have already been made in response to the crippling drought. View Mr Barilaro's full speech here. POP STAR KATY PERRY SPOTTED IN SYDNEY FASHION HOT SPOTInternational superstar Katy Perry was spotted enjoying a shopping trip to Sydney fashion hot spot The Intersection this week. Perry is in Sydney for her WITNESS World Tour and was seen shopping at Sydney designer Alice McCall's flagship boutique. The Intersection is Sydney's home to the best Australian fashion shopping experience and is located in the heart of Paddington. Named by Virgin Australia’s Voyeur magazine as ‘one of the world’s most desirable shopping strips’, Paddington has become the style destination for top Australian fashion brands. In October, the suburb will host the popular William Street Festival, which will this year celebrate its 10th anniversary. A street well known for its array of high quality boutiques, bars and eateries, William Street contains many of its own hidden fashion gems. Stall holder applications are currently open for the Festival and expressions of interest can be submitted here. Image Credit: The Intersection. ROCKPOOL DINING DROUGHT RELIEF CAMPAIGNTo give drought-stricken farmers a helping hand, Rockpool Dining Group’s Bavarian restaurants will donate profits from 16 venues this month. On 26 August, the Raise A Fork For Our Farmers will be hosted by The Bavarian and The Bavarian Beerhaüs restaurants in the drought-affected states of NSW and Qld, and donate much-needed funds for farming families to Aussie Helpers. Rockpool Dining Group Chief Executive Officer Thomas Pash said Rockpool owed much to the farming community and the Raise A Fork For Our Farmers campaign was the Group's first step in drought assistance. REGISTER NOW FOR SEPTEMBER WORKSHOPSThis September, tourism workshops will be held in Dubbo, Yass Valley and Kingscliff. Tourism Development Workshops will be held in Dubbo and Murrumbateman (Yass
Valley). An Inbound Strategy Workshop will be held in Kingscliff and Tourism Manager Forums for local government and tourism associations will The workshops are part of the NSW First Program, delivered by Destination NSW to assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell tourism experiences. APPLICATIONS CLOSING |