- 35 roadhouses receive grants to upgrade facilities as part of the 'Roadhouse to Recovery' program.
- $4 million of matching grants were handed out, where government contributed $3 for $1 invested
- With international travellers absent, local tourism is booming in the Territory
The road trip to Humpty Doo just became even more pleasant.
Thirty-five Northern Territory roadhouses will receive almost $4 million in grants to upgrade their facilities as part of the government’s ‘Roadhouse to Recovery‘ program.
The renovations are to improve infrastructure and visitor experience for the local booming drive tourism market.
Individual roadhouses and wayside inns were offered grants of up to $150,000 by the NT government to upgrade facilities. To be eligible, operators were required to make a cash-contribution. For each $1 invested by the operator, the government contributed $3.
“These grants are all about backing local and backing jobs – and the flow-on benefits will be a big boost for our economy,” said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
“We will see millions of dollars of work carried out across the Top End and Central Australia, which will keep Territory tradies on the tools.
“It will also see roadhouses and wayside inns refurbished, which will give travellers more reasons to stop, and extend their stay in the Territory.
“The grants will ensure money keeps flowing locally, which will help cement our position as Australia’s comeback capital.”
Overall, 21 businesses received grants, with the government funding more than $2.4 million for the projects. The businesses respectively chipped in an additional $2.5 million.
In Central Australia, there were 14 successful applicants, who together contributed more than $900,000. The government contributed $1.5 million for the upgrades.
The Emerald Springs Roadhouse received a grant of $120,000, which will build a new family cabin accommodation, a children’s playground and install a swimming pool.
The Threeways Roadhouse received $150,000 to construct three new family cabins as well as an outdoor garden bar.
COVID-19 saw a significant reduction in international tourism in favour of drive tourism, and the government believes the trend will continue in 2021. Huge numbers of Territorians and Australians are expected to explore the natural wonders of the NT this year.
