Tourism Infrastructure boosted in Budget 2015

Posted On April 7, 2015

Adam Giles
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Minister for Tourism

The Giles Government will invest $4.75 million in a Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund as part of a push to develop new and improved tourism products in Budget 2015.

“Budget 2015 will be a responsible budget but also a Budget that focuses on the needs of Territorians and makes their lives simpler, safer and easier. It builds on the good work of our last two budgets, with additional spending on sporting and recreational assets and a massive upgrade to our road network to better connect Territorians,” Chief Minister Adam Giles said.

“Over the next two years our economy will strategically tilt towards the tourism industry and unlike Labor we are planning to ensure the sector is ready to lead as a key economic-driver post-INPEX. We will not repeat Labor’s mistakes by failing to plan for this economic shift.

“That's why we are adding to our already increased tourism marketing budget by investing in new and renewed tourism products through the establishment of the $4.75 million Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund."

This funding pool will be used for strategic infrastructure that will grow the value of the NT tourism industry which is starting on the road to recovery after a decade of decline under Labor.

“We want tourists who come to the Territory to have an expanding menu of experiences to choose from and this $4.75 million is an investment in broadening what we have to offer," Mr Giles said

“The program will be available to operators and projects right across the Territory and will contain a particular focus on regional, remote and Indigenous tourism products.”
This $4.75 million Fund builds on the success of the inaugural $1.3 million program in 2014 which was jointly funded by the Territory and Federal Governments.

“This program received such fantastic feedback in 2014 that we have decided to expand it almost four-fold in 2015-16, funding it in our own right,” Mr Giles said.

Mr Giles made the announcement at the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels at the Darwin Waterfront which has just received a $40 000 infrastructure grant to upgrade its facilities.

“The Territory’s World War II heritage is one of its greatest tourism assets but we need to make it more accessible to visitors with informative displays that properly explain this fascinating chapter of Australian history,” Mr Giles said.

“The Tunnels are a significant tourist drawcard, attracting about 22 000 people each year but we want to see that expand even further with the help of this $40 000 investment. It’s especially appropriate in this ANZAC Centenary year.

“The planned improvements will help portray the purpose of the tunnels, what life was like for the people who worked in them, their stories and their experiences of the Bombing of Darwin.

“This is the kind of tourism innovation we’d like to see more of right across the Territory. It responds to the growing interest of consumers in military history, particularly among cruise ship passengers, enhancing their visitor experience."

Rob Marchant from Darwin Tours says the $40 000 grant will help him grow his tunnels business but will also benefit the greater Northern Territory military-heritage tourism industry.

“The grant will enhance the WWII Oil Tunnels tourism experience as we commemorate the ANZAC centenary. It also comes as a new WWII military alliance has been formed amongst Darwin’s leading war attractions and museums to leverage the growing interest in military history,” Mr Marchant said.

“This grant is a fantastic opportunity for tourism in Darwin and great encouragement for other operators looking to develop their own attractions.

“The funding will help us provide an artistic interpretation of the tunnels, with the showpiece being a moving sculpture of a ‘digger’ made from WWII relics.

“We’re also creating an exhibition space within the Tunnels for annual and/or travelling art shows or other events associated with military heritage, expanding our use of this asset.”

History of the tunnels
During the Japanese air raids of 1942 above-ground oil storage tanks located on Stokes Hill Wharf were destroyed. The Military for the Allied Works Council made the decision to construct eight Safe Naval Oil Storage tunnels. Five tunnels were eventually built in secret by 400 men of the Civil Constructional Corps (CCC) with work starting in about May 1943.The horseshoe-shaped steel-lined concrete formed tunnels were initially excavated by hand using picks and shovels and hand-held pneumatic tools. The tunnels were then finished off using a Conway Shovel during 1944.