Tuesday, 25 February 2020
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is encouraging local event organisers to apply for a share of $1 million in State Government funding to deliver local events that attract visitors and provide an economic boost to businesses.
Mr Marshall said the funding was being made available to communities which have been affected by the recent bushfires and the ongoing drought, which meant every local government area in the region was eligible.
The Regional Event Fund is part of the government’s $10 million Tourism Recovery package through two streams – the Flagship Event Fund and a new Micro Event Fund.
Mr Marshall said as the region started to recover from drought and bushfires, local events would play an important role in bringing rural economies back from the brink.
“Whether it’s the Celtic Festival at Glen Innes or Seasons of New England at Uralla, events give people from outside the area extra motivation to visit, stay in local accommodation and spend money in local retail outlets,” Mr Marshall said.
“On top of this, events stimulate regional economies through engaging local businesses such as food and beverage and infrastructure suppliers, tradespeople and staff, who all contribute to the delivery of a successful event.
“The Destination NSW regional event funding programs will give organisers a chance to put forward sporting, arts, cultural and lifestyle events that bring an economic and social boost to their town.”
The two funding streams now open include:
• Flagship Event Fund: grants of $20,000 to support event marketing activities to attract visitors from outside their immediate regions and drive tourism.
• Micro Event Fund: one-off grants of $10,000 to community-based events in bushfire or drought-affected areas with total operating budgets of $75,000 or less that have the capacity to bring together local communities, attract visitation and stimulate local economies.
To be eligible events must be delivered between 1 May and 31 December 2020.
Applications are now open and close on Wednesday, 25 March 2020.
For further information and to apply, visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/tourism/business-development-resources/funding-and-grants/regional-event