Just days after the official opening of Hunter Warbirds and the Scone Memorial Airport upgrade, the facility has secured another significant boost thanks to Round Two of the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said $1.486 million has been awarded to the Hunter Warbirds Restoration Facility.
“This will allow Upper Hunter Shire Council to continue to build on the work already underway following the establishment of Hunter Warbirds at the airport,” Mr Layzell said.
“Hunter Warbirds has a vision to offer a nationally significant living centre of heritage aviation experiences, which is a tourism drawcard for visitors to come to the Upper Hunter to learn more about aviation and pilot training.
“This won’t only support Scone by increasing visitation, this will support local economies across the Upper Hunter 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. 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,” Mr Toole said.
“The projects backed through the $150 million Round Two of the Regional Tourism Activation Fund will give domestic and international visitors even more great reasons to experience the best regional NSW has to offer.”
Round Two 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 $180 million Regional Tourism Activation Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion 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
PHOTO CAPTION: The ribbon cutting to official open the upgrade at Scone Memorial Airport.
Dave Layzell with New England MP Barnaby Joyce and Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Cr Maurice Collison with the official opening plaque for Hunter Warbirds.
