WHAT ABOUT US?: Exasperated Douglas Shire resort, accommodation managers implore, Lui, Healy to fight for grant funds
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A host of Douglas Shire resort managers still reeling from the impacts of Cyclone Jasper and months of low occupancy rates have implored Cook MP Cynthia Lui and Tourism Minister Michael Healy to get answers and lobby for them after numerous funding applications were rejected under the Department of Tourism and Sport’s Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant.
While Douglas Shire businesses such as Back Country Bliss and Hartley’s have had success under the scheme, not so many Douglas Shire accommodation outlets who seem to have fallen short because of nuisances around bureaucratic wording in the actual application process.
Newsport has received countless emails and phone calls from frustrated and bewildered resort managers exasperated after being told by the moderation panel that under the guidelines “ the applicant did not demonstrate ownership of the tourism operation in accordance with the eligibility criteria”.
The ownership of resorts per say, is a murky area, because it’s well known, that units at resorts are individually owned by separate owners and not collectively, by the one single owner.
It’s that confusing detail and reason that miffed resort owners have told Newsport they’ve been continually knocked back under the scheme.
Seeking clarification and assistance a host of Douglas Shire resort owners contacted Tourism Minister Michael Healy’s office earlier today where they were told in email correspondence that “As Port Douglas sits within the electorate of Cook I’m going to forward your email to the relevant office of the Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui MP, where her helpful team will be better placed to assist you in this matter”.
A short time ago Mr Healy’s office released a media release touting the overwhelming success of the scheme which he said has helped numerous Douglas Shire businesses.
“Recovery assistance for tourism businesses hit by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper is rolling out with 73 operators now offered financial support under the $10 million Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants program,” the media release said.
“Grants of up to $500,000 were announced in February for businesses of all sizes that suffered severe impacts from the cyclone’s flooding, leaving them unable to trade due to isolation for at least two weeks.
“Applications were assessed in line with eligibility criteria to ensure funding support was appropriately allocated across the industry.
“So far, grant recipients come from across FNQ, including 23 operators located north of the Daintree River including Cape Tribulation, and 19 businesses at Port Douglas.
“The grants will cover business costs such as wages and salaries, fuel, rent and supplies.
“Applications of a further seven tourism businesses are still under consideration.”
Mr Healy speaking about the grants: “These grants show how many tourism businesses in the tropical north still need a hand after TC Jasper hit us in December last year,” he said.
“Disaster recovery assistance for our tourist trade in the Far North is a priority and we’ll stand by our operators, the heart and soul of our industry, for as long as they need to get back on their feet.”
That’s all well and good, but it still begs the question why aren’t Douglas Shire accommodation outlets considered tourism operators and what does it matter if they are not solely owned by the one owner? What does it matter if resorts are managed? They still need the funds as badly as any other ‘operator’ in the Shire.
Newsport has reached out to both Cynthia Lui and Michael Healy’s offices to gain responses and further clarity around local, failed applications and what’s being done to directly assist local resort and accommodation outlets in the Shire.
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Update: Credit where credit is due - a short time after issuing our questions, a very helpful media advisor from Mr Healy's Cairns office called Newsport and listened in detail, as he sought further clarification and an understanding as to the specific issues of Port Douglas resort managers and accommodation providers who were deemed ineligible after submitting failed applications for the Department of Tourism and Sport’s Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant.
The exceptionally kind staff member vowed to pass on the information and get specific answers about the numerous failed submissions from Port Douglas accommodation providers. He also sought details and contact numbers for future follow up.
Just moments ago Newsport received a statement from Michael Healy's office.
“We want to see Port Douglas and the Daintree back up and buzzing," Mr Healy told Newsport.
“I encourage any unsuccessful operators who applied for grants and would like to discuss the outcome of the assessment process to contact the Department of Tourism and Sport.
“73 tourism businesses in Far North Queensland significantly impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper are being offered funding support under the Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grant.
“23 of these tourism businesses are located north of the Daintree River including Cape Tribulation, Cow Bay, Diwan and Thornton Beach.
“19 further businesses have been approved for support at Port Douglas.”
Similar credit to Ms Lui's office - Moments after we sent our questions off a staff member immediately got in email contact to ensure the enquiry had been received and passed along for immediate action and consideration.
We received this statement from Ms Lui's office just moments ago.
"Several Port Douglas tourism operators have contacted my office seeking more explanation about the reasons their grant was unsuccessful, which I have followed up personally with a number of operators, and also with the Minister for Tourism, who is reviewing this issue with the Department," Ms Lui told Newsport just seconds ago.
"I understand 73 Far North Queensland tourism businesses have been approved for exceptional assistance grants, including 19 Port Douglas tourism businesses and 23 from Daintree and surrounds.
"Tourism is a ‘lifeblood’ industry for Port Douglas and I’m working hard with the Minister for Tourism, Michael Healy, to see this issue reviewed and resolved in a positive way."
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