Funding Now Open For Events Across Illawarra and South Coast

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward MP today announced that event organisers across our region holding events between January and June 2019, are being encouraged to apply for the New South Wales Government’s Flagship Event Fund, which is now open.

Mr Ward said that the 2019 Fund will be offered in two rounds per year and with just a single application process.

“The NSW Government is continuing to reduce the red tape and for the first time, event organisers no longer have to submit an expression of interest when applying for the Flagship Event Fund,” he said.

“The change means a more streamlined application process, making it quicker for events across the Illawarra and South Coast to access vital funds and boost tourism in our local communities.

“Events can apply for an annual grant of $20,000 or a triennial grant of $27,500 to help market and promote their event to visitors outside of their local area,” Mr Ward said.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said that, since 1997, the Regional Flagship Events Program, which includes three different funding streams, has provided more than $10 million to 351 events throughout rural and regional NSW.

“Whether it’s event proponents, tour operators, hoteliers or visitor attractions, we’re working hard right across our regions to make it easier to access vital grants to get initiatives off the ground and to get tourism booming more than ever before,” Mr Marshall said.

“The NSW Government is proud of the progress that has been made in tourism investment across regional NSW and the reforms we have implemented which lay the foundations for future growth in local communities. I encourage those eligible for Round One of the Flagship Event Fund to apply soon for this terrific opportunity.”

The Regional Flagship Events Program is managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Applications for Round One of the 2019 Flagship Event Fund close on Monday 8th October 2018. To lodge an application, please visit the website at: http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/rfep.

Round Two applications for events held between July and December 2019 will open in February next year.