Regional Tourism Activation Fund FAQs

The NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund will fund projects that accelerate the development of new and enhanced tourism infrastructure that provides visitors with unique and high impact experiences while visiting regional NSW.

$30 million has been allocated to the Regional Tourism Activation Fund from the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund.

The types of projects eligible for funding include:

• construction of new tourism infrastructure and/or significant enhancements to existing infrastructure to create unique and high impact visitor experiences
• upgrades and extensions to existing infrastructure to improve accessibility and inclusion linked to unique and high impact visitor experiences.

The $30 million fund will be open to local councils, Joint Organisations, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, non-government organisations and community organisations.  Applicants must be financially solvent, an incorporated entity and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or another Act. Unincorporated organisations are ineligible to apply.

No, private businesses that operate for profit are not eligible to apply for the Regional Tourism Activation Fund. Private businesses can partner with an eligible entity and the eligible entity can submit an application as the lead applicant.

A non-government organisation is a not-for-profit organisation that operates independently of any government.

Eligible applicants will be able to apply for funding under two streams:

Stream One – Unique and High Impact Visitor Experiences. A minimum of $200,000 up to a maximum of $5 million will be available for projects that accelerate the delivery of new or enhanced tourism infrastructure projects that will strengthen the local tourism industry and deliver economic benefits in regional NSW.

Stream Two – Visitor Accessibility and Inclusion Enhancements. A minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $500,000 will be available for projects that encourage inclusive tourism by improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disability at regional tourism destinations and visitor experiences.

No, the funding  must be used for the construction of new or enhanced tourism infrastructure and / or upgrades to improve accessibility and inclusion at unique and high impact visitor experiences.

Applications for funding from Stream One must have a minimum financial co-contribution of 25 per cent of the total grant amount. Co-contributions must be a direct financial contribution and cannot be made in-kind.

Applications for Stream Two do not require a minimum co-contribution and can apply for 100 per cent of the project cost; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to make a financial co-contribution to their projects.

No, co-contributions cannot be made using other funding received from the NSW Government. Projects should seek to maximise investment from the applicant, the Commonwealth Government and/or other industry contributions where possible.

Yes, applicants can apply to both Stream One and Two if their project includes specific accessibility enhancements as part of a broader visitor experience project. Applications to both Stream One and Two will be considered and assessed as a project package.

Yes, however all applicants are encouraged to strongly consider inclusive tourism and the visitor experience of people with disabilities.

No, the funding must be specific to the development of the infrastructure and the project needs to be operated and maintained without the need for additional funding from the NSW Government once construction is complete. A list of ineligible projects and project costs is provided within the Program Guidelines.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that their project is unique and high impact by providing:

• key visitation data, including forecasted annual visitation and the forecasted expenditure per visitor to generate a value per visitor analysis
• a data sheet to inform a Cost Benefit Analysis
• letters of support from the relevant Destination Network and/or local tourism organisations that support the claim of uniqueness and high impact.

The program will open for funding applications from Wednesday, 16 June 2021 and will close at 12pm on Wednesday, 11 August 2021. Successful projects will be announced from early 2022 and projects are required to be completed by 30 June 2023.

Applications must demonstrate the project will be completed by 30 June 2023 by providing a detailed scope of works, key milestones and previous project management records including the experience/credentials of key personnel.

Yes. You will be required to demonstrate within your application that the project is ready to commence on receipt of the development approval and that it will be completed by 30 June 2023.

Public/private partnerships are eligible to apply where the lead applicant is an eligible public entity and clear public benefit can be demonstrated. The public entity will be solely responsible for the project's delivery and reporting through a funding deed.

Projects can be located on publicly owned land or on private land where there is a clear public benefit.

Yes, a range of resources and tools will be made available on this webpage to support potential applicants with their submissions, including a recorded information webinar.

Staff from the Department of Regional NSW will also be available to support applicants with their applications. Please contact regionalnsw.business@regional.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 679 673 to access this support.

Projects must be located in one of the 93 regional NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs), the Unincorporated Far West or Lord Howe Island. Projects delivered in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area, and the Newcastle and Wollongong LGAs are ineligible for funding. The eligible LGAs are as follows:

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application from early 2022. Unsuccessful applications will be offered an opportunity for feedback on their application.

Yes, applicants are encouraged to consult with their Destination Network and other local stakeholders and to include letters of support with their applications

Phone: 1300 679 673

Email: regionalnsw.business@regional.nsw.gov.au