Coastal Councils Call For Share Of Tourism Funding

The National Sea Change Taskforce, which represents more than 60 coastal councils around Australia, is considering a proposal that councils experiencing the impact of tourism should receive a share of tourism revenue currently flowing to State and Federal governments.

Cr Joe Natoli, the Mayor of Maroochy and chair of the Taskforce, said growth in tourism is having a dramatic impact on communities in coastal areas.

“We don’t want to discourage tourists coming into our communities, but we do need help to provide the public infrastructure and services to meet their needs to ensure that local residents continue to support tourism in their areas,” Cr Natoli said.

“Many communities in coastal areas are being hit with a double whammy. Not only are they having to cope with unprecedented population growth, they are also attempting to deal with a rapid increase in tourism.

“Existing taxes and charges on tourism, including GST, is generating enormous revenue to State and Federal Governments,” he said. “But at the moment the communities in high growth tourism areas do not get a share of that revenue, which they need to keep pace with growing demand.”

Cr Natoli said the Taskforce rejected the idea of an additional charge on international tourism, which could deter visitors coming to Australia.

“That is not the answer,” he said. “There is already sufficient revenue being generated through government charges and taxation. We just want to make sure that coastal communities, which are bearing the brunt of the tourism impact, get a share of that revenue.”

Cr. Natoli pointed out that international tourism is a rapidly growing export industry and is forecast to become Australia’s major export revenue earner by 2007.

“Unlike other export industries, however, it does not receive Government assistance in the form of an export development scheme, export subsidies or infrastructure provision,” he said.

Cr Natoli called for a collaborative approach to the challenge of rapid population and tourism growth in coastal areas.

“The National Sea Change Taskforce believes the sea change phenomenon can only be addressed effectively through a commitment on the part of local, State and Federal governments to work cooperatively to address the issue,” he said. 

Further information contact:

Alan Stokes – 0411 592 269