The establishment of the Peat Island Cultural Tourism Precinct will receive a kick start with $4.99M from Round Two of the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) would be provided with the funds to get the Cultural Tourism Precinct activated.
The State Government transferred ownership of Peat Island and a portion of the mainland foreshore at Mooney Mooney to the DLALC earlier this year.
“I am extremely excited about the great potential of this project and its ability to further enhance our vibrant and resilient regional community,” Crouch said.
“This won’t only support our region by increasing visitation, this will support local economies and local jobs as more people spend at cafes, restaurants, hotels, motels and local shops.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, said the Regional Tourism Activation Fund supports local economies and local jobs by backing unique tourism experiences that will attract visitors and showcase what regional NSW has to offer.
“We know regional NSW has Australia’s best tourist destinations and experiences,” he said.
“We want to amplify that by helping create new experiences and drawcards that put more heads on beds and attract more tourism dollars into regional communities.”
Darkinjung Chairperson Barry ‘BJ’ Duncan said the money would allow DLALC to progress the first phase of activating and opening the island.
“The establishment of a café, new jetty and cultural grounds will provide a basis for cultural tourism that all Australians can enjoy,” he said.
“But the centerpiece for us will be the painting of the water tower.
“This will be a beacon, celebrating Aboriginal culture and the icons that help to build our Darkinjung community.”
dlalc chairperson Barry duncan
“In Land Rights we often say that we stand on the shoulders of giants.
“Today we will be able to commemorate those giants, and we take our place among them for our future generations.”
Darkinjung CEP Brendan Moyle said the funds would turn Peat Island into something “truly special; a destination of state if not national significance”.
“It will help open Peat Island for everyone, in a way that is respectful for the history of the island – both ancient and contemporary,” he said.
“This will be a first for Darkinjung and our Land Rights movement and showcases the opportunities that our Aboriginal communities can create to share culture and dreaming stories with all people.”
Round Two of the funding focuses on accelerating the development of high impact tourism and events infrastructure that will increase the international appeal of destinations in regional NSW and boost the visitor economy through increased visitation and job creation.
The $180M Regional Tourism Activation Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3B Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies, and improve services and community infrastructure for regional communities.
For more information, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/RTAFund.
Source:
Media release, Dec 12
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast