The $15 million plus in funding will keep Canberra Convention Bureau running and supply an Aviation Stimulus Fund to incentivise more airlines to land in the national capital.
Currently Canberra Airport has just one international service operating, to Fiji, although a service to Doha is scheduled to begin in December.
The budget will also continue support for the territory’s Major Events Fund and the city’s calendar of major events including Enlighten, Floriade and New Year’s Eve. The Canberra brand will also receive investment from the budget.
Alongside this, the government is working with Telstra to restore and reopen the Telstra Tower, including a new observation deck. Part of the budget funding package will be invested in this project.
“This budget provides targeted investments in tourism, events, business and trade that will deliver economic returns to the territory,” said the ACT’s treasurer Chris Steel.
“Whether it’s new events, more flights or major destination projects like Telstra Tower, we’re making sure Canberra is well-placed to grow as a visitor and business hub.”
This funding sits apart from the as-yet undisclosed amount the government will spend in this budget on progressing plans for a new convention centre in Canberra.
The territory and federal government has agreed on a $200 million funding package to build a new aquatic centre in Canberra and a new convention and entertainment precinct.
The ACT Government has outlined how the first $100 million will be spent but has not shared details on the budget specifics of the territory’s investment for the coming year.
The ACT’s annual budget will be announced in full this week.
