Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme

A 2003 study commissioned by the Ministries of Tourism and Economic Development found that although visitors are currently paying for their use of water and sewerage infrastructure, smaller communities may face difficulties in funding the capital costs of upgrading or replacing these facilities.

Funding is fully allocated and no further applications are being sought at this time.

The Ministry of Tourism allocated funding of $11 million over three years (2004-2007) for a Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme (TDSS) to assist small communities with high tourism flows to invest in water and sewerage infrastructure to sustain their tourism industry.

Funding for the TDSS was approved in recognition of the pressure that rapid tourism growth can place on small communities with low rating bases. Per capita costs to provide quality infrastructure are much higher in small communities than in larger cities.

Successful applicants were announced by the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Damien O'Connor on 13 April, 2006. View the ministers press releases of 13 April, 2006 and 12 January, 2006 announcing successful applicants to the TDSS.

The TDSS was run in close conjunction with the existing Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme for wastewater and fluoridation (SWSS) administered by the Ministry of Health, and used the same Sanitary Works Technical Advisory Committee (SAWTAC) technical review process.

Successful applicants were announced by the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Damien O'Connor on 13 April, 2006. View the ministers press releases of 13 April, 2006 and 12 January, 2006 announcing successful applicants to the TDSS.