Two Burnett and Bundaberg regional Queensland events affected by flooding earlier this year will receive special financial support from the Newman Government’s Events Flood Assistance Program.
The Bargara Strawberry Fair and the Cane to Coral Classic events have received grants of $5,000 and $8,000 respectively, to support this year’s events.
Announcing the successful grants today, Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett said the Events Flood Assistance Program (EFAP) was created to support events in the state’s flood-declared council areas.
“Seventeen regional Queensland events will receive funding totalling $150,000 administered through EFAP,” Mr Bennett said.
“Events held in flood-declared council areas that suffered as a result of the flooding earlier in the year were eligible to apply.
“Through attracting visitors, these events will support local Burnett and Bundaberg communities and economies and we want to make sure they can go ahead as planned, or are re-staged.”
Ms Bennett said the EFAP funds would be used to assist with marketing costs, the engagement of specialised personnel to develop the event and hiring temporary infrastructure.
“The Newman Government recognises the importance of regional events in attracting tourism to regions and provides support to regional events through TEQ’s Regional Development Program,” he said.
“Regional events are a great source of community pride while bringing social and economic benefits to the host community, which helps support the Government’s goal of reaching $30 billion in annual overnight visitor expenditure by 2020.
“To date, more than $21 million has been invested in 976 regional events across the state through this program.”