Local event organisers are encouraged to apply for funding to make their shows bigger and better than ever or to help bring major sporting, musical or cultural events to town, as part of the $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund Round Two.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the new funding round will provide a minimum $100,000 to help bring new major events to regional NSW and between $50,000 to $200,000 to increase capacity and enhance existing events.
“Barellan’s Good Old Days Festival and Grenfell’s Henry Lawson Festival were both successful under the first round of the program with the funds to go towards their big 2022 event plans,” Ms Cooke said.
“Examples of eligible projects include extra seating for outdoor shows or sporting events, temporary fencing, accessibility infrastructure, providing additional stages at music festivals, temporary car parks or pop-up camping sites.
“This support to our country communities will help the economic health of our small towns and villages that have been hit hardest by COVID-19, by supporting tourism we will see more tourist revenue and see people come out and explore and experience our region, a win-win for all.”
Acting Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the package had already supported more than 80 events expected to attract more than one million visitors to the regions, laying the foundations for a strong recovery of Regional NSW.
“This package will help drive regional NSW’s economic recovery from bushfire, drought, COVID-19, and the current flooding crisis,” Mr Toole said.
“Helping organisers host world-class events in their own backyard showcases our great regional towns to national and international audiences.”
Event organisers, regional NSW councils, not-for-profit organisations, sporting bodies and Aboriginal Land Councils are eligible to apply for grants.
Applications to the Regional Events Acceleration Fund open today and close 5pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022 or when allocation is exhausted.
The $40 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is delivering infrastructure and programs that generate economic opportunities, create jobs and improve everyday living in the bush.
For information about eligibility criteria and program guidelines, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/REAFund.