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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-15 Daily Xml
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Question Time

NEW PRODUCT SUPPORT PROGRAM GRANTS

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:56): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about the New Product Support Program grants.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA: As you know, Mr President, there are many wonderful tourism experiences to be had in South Australia. Sometimes, though, in order for these experiences to get off the ground some assistance is needed. Minister, will you tell the council about some of the initiatives recently funded by the New Product Support Program grants?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his important question. It is true that the South Australian Tourism Commission's New Product Support Program plays a very critical role in developing new tours and attractions in South Australia.

Today I am very pleased to inform members that new grants have recently been made available to develop two new tourism experiences. The SATC aims to develop new signature experiences in South Australia, and the New Product Support Program was developed to facilitate this. The New Product Support Program accelerates the commercial viability of strategically important new tours and attractions.

The SATC provides advice, collaboration, information and initial communication support. In 2010-11 the SATC provided financial and in-kind assistance to a range of businesses that developed commercially focused new tours and attractions. I am delighted to inform members of two support grants which have recently been approved.

The Imbala Jarjum (butterfly kids) is an Indigenous dance ensemble based in the Adelaide Hills. Currently, the group runs performances for school groups and festivals. The ensemble also owns and operates the Ancient Earth Aboriginal Art Gallery in the Adelaide Hills in the tourist town of Hahndorf. To meet the current market's needs the group has introduced some new interactive dance and workshop products so that visitors can enjoy an Aboriginal experience in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. The $5,000 grant will assist in promoting and marketing this important event.

The dance ensemble works to raise cultural awareness through a unique display of carefully choreographed traditional presentations with a contemporary influence. To complement the Ancient Earth Aboriginal Art Gallery, the ensemble has developed two dance performances: one is called Imbala Jarjum Live and the other evening performance is called Tonight We Dance.

In addition to the dance products, they have designed two specific workshops for visitors to enjoy by creating their own piece of art using traditional symbols and techniques with coloured sand and/or the opportunity to hand paint their own boomerang.

Another unique experience recently received funding as well, building on from the highly successful Adelaide Central Market tours: three new specialised Chinese tours are being developed. These tours are focused on delivering a high quality Chinese-speaking tourism product in the Central Market in the heart of Adelaide. The grant of $20,000 was provided as SATC believes that this project will further assist Adelaide to become 'China ready', which is critical to increase the state's appeal to one of our largest growing target markets. I am sure members will join me in wishing every success to these two new ventures.

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