Southland projects will receive more than $3.7 million from the latest round of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash, in Queenstown today, announced details of 57 nationwide projects set to receive $18.5 million in support overall.

Five South Island areas, hit hard by impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry, have been prioritised.

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Southland District Council will receive a whopping $3,739,125 funding, of which $3,040,000 is for projects in Fiordland priority area.

The projects are: 

• $1,100,000 to upgrade the boat ramp, toilets, and carpark at Pearl Harbour, Manapouri and upgrade to access road and toilets at Fraser’s Beach Manapouri
• $1,500,000 additional funding for the Te Anau Wastewater project
• $440,000 for the replacement of two boat ramps in Te Anau to meet the required standards and a new toilet for Bluegum Point
• $99,125 to build a viewing platform at Observation Rock, Stewart Island/Rakiura
• $600,000 for replacement of Ulva Island Wharf, Stewart Island/Rakiura

In April it was announced the TIF would prioritise Fiordland, Queenstown Lakes, South Westland, Mackenzie District, and Kaikōura, where tourism has been most affected by the absence of international visitors. 

"The five South Island areas were heavily reliant on international tourism. Domestic tourism is experiencing a boom as Kiwi travellers embrace the call to ‘do something new’ but these South Island regions are still doing it tough," Nash said.

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"Government funding for these projects will provide much-needed local employment while borders are tightly controlled to keep us safe from COVID-19. The new tourism facilities will also help local councils prepare for the return of visitors in greater numbers.

"Tourism projects in the five regions will receive $10 million from a total pool of $18 million in this funding round. The projects share a common theme of enhancing popular lakefront and beachfront facilities to improve the visitor experience. 

 "Upgrades to public assets on the lakefront at Queenstown, Glenorchy, and Wanaka will improve facilities for boaties, pedestrians, cyclists and tourism operators.

"Lakefront infrastructure at Te Anau and Manapouri in Fiordland also receives support, such as boat ramps and access roads, as well as much-needed further funding for the Te Anau wastewater project. The Southland District Council also successfully applied for support for tourism projects on Stewart Island/Rakiura."

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Queenstown Lakes District Council will receive $2,414,784 funding for:

• $375,000 to develop new drop-off zone for tourism operators, formalised boat trailer parking, new bus bays, safer balustrade from the road to marina and upgraded footpath at Glenorchy Carpark and Marina
• $826,000 to upgrade and increase capacity of the public toilet, lighting and signage at Marine Parade, Queenstown
• $781,784 for safety upgrades to pedestrian pathways and upgrade to boat ramp and jetty on the Wanaka Lakefront
• $432,000 to upgrade the Wanaka Tree carpark, improvements to pedestrian and cyclist access through the carpark, sealing of carpark and provision of bus parking

Nash said in the past few months he has travelled to all five of the regions and spoken to the mayors and other leaders about what is needed to help communities adjust. 

"This tourism fund is just one of a number of initiatives designed to keep up the momentum of recovery, and we remain focused on supporting local jobs and businesses in future decisions."

The Tourism Infrastructure Fund supports local communities under pressure from tourism, especially those with small ratepayer bases.