Families will be able to enjoy a great day out with new funding to be provided for local events in the Bundaberg-Burnett district.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and Member for Bundaberg Jack Dempsey welcomed the government’s commitment to give local events a total of $71,600 which will be shared between Bundy Flavours, Autumn Sounds, the Crush Festival and the Captain Cook 1770 Festival.
The funds were announced through Round 27 of the Tourism and Events Queensland’s Regional Development Program (RDP).
Mr Bennett said the program formed part of the government’s plan to grow overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020 with regional events providing a year round tourism boost.
He said funds provided through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Regional Development Program (RDP) will continue to help grow the economy and create jobs.
Mr Bennett said he was thrilled to see these worthy local events were given priority through the program.
“Events such as the Captain Cook 1770 Festival are iconic and attract people from all over. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival is well on its way to being a major event on Queensland’s social calendar,” Mr Bennett said.
“Organisers do a fantastic job in getting these events up-and-running each year, and I’m sure these funds will go a long way in helping them put together even better events next year,” he said.
Mr Dempsey congratulated the Minister for recognising and supporting these events in our region.
“It is great to see the support of these quality events which offer visitors and locals the opportunity to see what our region has to offer and encourage those that live here to invite friends and family to visit the region,” he said.
Rick Matkowski, General Manager of Bundaberg and North Burnett Tourism, also welcomed the recognition this funding will play towards the marketing and the promotion of these priority events in the region, especially Bundy Flavours, Autumn Sounds and the Crush Festival.
“Bundaberg is a major produce producing region in our state and we have some of the best produce around, not to mention innovative chefs and award winning restaurants and cafes which promote our region and farmers through their businesses. This aligns with our focus on building our reputation as a culinary destination,” he said.
“We also have a diversity of arts, music and food in our region and these are our three strengths so it is good that these three events are all being supported.”
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the announcement further demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting events that play a vital role in attracting visitors.
“Funding will go towards marketing activities to increase awareness of the event and destination, strategic planning, the engagement of short-term personnel and hire of temporary infrastructure,” said Ms Stuckey
“More than $24.6 million has been invested in 1,132 events through the RDP since it began and I am looking forward to seeing greater tourism benefits from the program in the future.
“Queensland’s 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success, recognises the importance of supporting events that drive repeat visitors to regional destinations and support local economies.”
Events in the Bundaberg-Burnett electorate supported under Round 27 of the RDP include:
• Captain Cook 1770 Festival (23-25 May 2015) $15,000
• Crush Festival (1-31 October 2015) $25,000
• Autumn Sounds (18 April 2015) $10,000
• Bundy Flavours (5-13 September 2015) $21,600
Mr Bennett and Mr Dempsey encouraged locals to apply for the next round of RDP funding, which is now open for events held between October 1, 2015, and March 31, 2017.
To apply for Tourism and Events Queensland Regional Development Program Funding visit – teq.queensland.com or to discover more great events go to www.queensland.com