19 January 2012

The Nationals Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced today that the Regional Gold Trail Committee will receive $50,000 from the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government to enhance signage and assist visitors to better explore the region's gold mining heritage.

This funding has been allocated from the first stream of Destination NSW's Regional Tourism Partnership Funding Program.

"This is a great win for tourism across the Burrinjuck electorate as well as our surrounding districts," Katrina said.

"I have strongly supported the Gold Trail Project since its inception in 2009, when I obtained funding for the project to make its initial presentations."

Over the past three years, the Gold Trail Project has expanded its coverage to include attractions in 30 towns and cities in 10 local government areas, six of these attractions are within the Burrinjuck electorate, with other attractions also based in Bathurst, Forbes, Goulburn-Mulwaree and Tumut.

"The Regional Gold Trail Committee has also sought funding from the second stream of the Regional Tourism Partnerships Funding Program to further improve the Gold Trail," Katrina said.

"I recently wrote to the Minister for Tourism, the Hon George Souris MP, strongly supporting the Gold Trail's continued expansion as a fantastic regional tourism attraction.

"The Lambing Flat Festival in Young, the Harden Gold Trail Festival and the Grenfell Gold Fest have been successful events held under the umbrella of the Gold Trail.

"The Gold Trail project taps into our state’s rich gold mining history and highlights the lasting contribution it has had to our heritage.

"I am very pleased that the Regional Gold Trail Committee has received this funding and I commend them for the fantastic work they do to improve tourism in this region.

"This funding is part of the NSW Government's work to get on with the job of supporting tourism in the state and delivering honest stable government," Katrina said.