Living Here

Dive into Turtle Tank with a new pool of funds available in 2023

‘Turtle Tank’, a tourism innovation fund initially designed to support the region’s COVID-19 recovery, is back in 2023 with a new pool of funds ready to benefit the local tourism industry.

In 2023, the fund will support innovative ideas, campaigns and initiatives in marine tourism that will benefit the region now and into the future.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the Turtle Tank fund is proudly sponsored by Gladstone Regional Council with $50,000 available to successful applicants.

“We saw some fantastic and innovative ideas presented to the Turtle Tank panel last year and those initiatives are at various stages of being rolled out,” Councillor Burnett said.

“This year, the fund focusses on marine tourism and successful applicants may be granted up to $20,000 for their initiative.”

Applicants must complete a three-step application process. Applications are open from today (11 April) and close on Monday 22 May.

This process includes:

Attend the Tourism Innovation Fund – Information Session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, 11 May 2023 from 10am-10.30am. A recording of the session will also be available
Submit a written application outlining the basics of the initiative to the panel for assessment
Successful written applicants will be invited to attend the Turtle Tank where applicants will be required to pitch their initiative to a panel of ‘expert investors’ comprising of representatives from Council and Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd (GAPDL).

Applicant suitability:

Applicants can be a not-for-profit organisation, a business/commercial operator based in the Gladstone Region local government area or partnerships/consortiums
Applicants must be incorporated (not applicable for businesses), have an Australian Business Number (ABN), be financially solvent and have an operational bank account
Applicants must not be a religious or political organisation, a sporting club, an educational institution or a local, state or federal government agency.

Projects that leverage off current events and/or existing infrastructure in the Gladstone Region may receive preference.

Visit www.gladstoneregion.info/turtle-tank to access the online information session meeting details and print/online application forms.

For more information about Council’s funding sources, including Turtle Tank, please visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/funding-sources.

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