Ipswich Exceptional Experiences Program
The Ipswich Exceptional Experiences Program (IEEP) provides matched funding to support eligible Ipswich businesses to develop new or enhance an existing experience that actively increases visitor day-trip and/or overnight visitation to the City of Ipswich and in doing so increase employment in the city.
Through the Ipswich Exceptional Experiences Program we are:
- Boosting economic returns for the city
- Developing new tourism experiences and attractions
- Creating new sustainable jobs
- Increasing visitor expenditure in the city
- Building resilient businesses and communities
Program Guidelines
Download the Ipswich Exceptional Experiences Program Guidelines (PDF, 1.4MB) for detailed information on the program, eligibility and application/assessment process.
Funding Available
Applicants can apply for a dollar-for-dollar matched funding of up to:
- $5,000 (exclusive of GST) in contribution from Ipswich City Council, for Businesses with less than five (5) full-time equivalent employees.
- $10,000 (exclusive of GST) in contribution from Ipswich City Council, for businesses with five (5) or more full-time equivalent employees*.
This is available once per business per financial year through the IEEP. The total pool of funding is capped at $50,000.
* Applicants applying for more than $5,000 in funding will be required to verify that they currently engage five (5) or more full-time equivalent employees (e.g. a letter from the applicant’s Certified Practicing Accountant).
Key Dates and Application Process
Wednesday
28 October 2020
Sunday
29 November 2020
Mon 30 November to
Wed 9 December 2020
Monday
21 December 2020
Application
period opens
Application
period closes
Assessment
panel meets
Applicants
notified
Eligibility and Assessment Criteria
Full eligibility details and assessment criteria can be found in the Program Guidelines document.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the Smarty Grants software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the funding paid to successful applicants?
A: Successful applicants will be pre-approved for IEEP funding, but will only receive payment of the funds upon successful completion of the project and submission of an acquittal report.
Q: To be eligible for funding, when does a project need to be completed by?
A: To be eligible for funding, projects must be able to be completed with an acquittal report submitted by 30 April 2021.
Q: Can marketing costs be included in the budget for my project and covered by the IEEP funding?
A: Marketing activity expenses associated with the promotion of the experience being developed/enhanced may be included in the application but may only contribute up to a maximum of 20% of the total project cost.
Q: Can I discuss my project with someone prior to submitting an application?
A: Yes, representatives from Council’s Destination Development team are available to discuss eligibility, applications and assessment process with potential applicants. To book a 20-30 minute phone or Zoom consultation, please contact Karen Ackland on [email protected] or by phoning (07) 3810 6630.
Q: Will there be a second round of IEEP funding?
A: The Ipswich Exceptional Experiences Program is a pilot program. There will not be a second round in the 2020-2021 financial year. The program will be reviewed in June 2021, along with available budget, to consider if a 2021-2022 round of the program will be offered.
Contact and Support
How can we help you? If you have any questions or comments about the Ipswich Tourism Operator Partner Program, please contact us at:
Michael Williams
Industry Development Officer
Destination Development Branch
Community, Cultural and Economic Development Department
Ipswich City Council
Tel: (07) 3810 7448
Email: [email protected]