New Destination Events Program
The aim of the Destination Events Program is to support new social, cultural, industry and sporting events for the purpose of attracting overnight visitation from outside the region which will deliver economic benefits to the Western Downs.
View the Factsheet(PDF, 530KB)
Priorities
The Destination Events Program supports events that:
- Promote tourism and attracts overnight visitation to the Western Downs Region
- Provide economic benefits through local spend and increased visitor expenditure
- Are aligned with the character and culture of the Western Downs Region
- Demonstrates sound organisational event planning and a comprehensive marketing strategy
- A large-scale event preferably running longer than one day and attracting attendance in excess of 1,500 people held within the Western Downs Regional Council area
- Will attract significant outside of region visitors (minimum 40%) to the Western Downs region and provide substantial economic and social benefits to the region
- The concept for the event aligns with the character and culture of the local area and fosters community pride.
- This category includes funding for:
- Boutique themed destination events
- Industry expos and shows
- Major sporting events / fixtures
- New cultural / arts / music / food festivals
Cash Grants from $5,000.00 to $20,000.00 are available under this program.
No Council In Kind Assistance is available under this program.
Your funding request must not exceed the total amount allocated by Council and available in this category.
Where the recipient organisation is registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST), 10% GST will be added to the value of the grant which you must remit to the Australian Taxation Office.
An Event Management Plan must be provided and include as a minimum:
- Accessibility and inclusion details
- Detailed Event Budget
- Detailed Event Site Plan
- Marketing Plan
- Risk Management Plan (including Emergency Management Plan and Noise Management Plan and Traffic Management Plan)
Applicants must demonstrate their operational and financial capability to deliver and market the event. This may include details of the applicants’ previous experience and capabilities delivering events of a similar scale and nature.
In respect to the event, the applicant must be able to accurately estimate the following information:
- Total number of attendees
- Average length of stay of attendees (excluding locals)
- The daily expenditure of attendees (excluding locals)
- Economic impact data for the event
- Alternative sources of income through sponsorship
- Commentary on how the event will positively enhance the region’s profile as a visitor destination
- Size and type of media coverage for the event
- All not for profit and commercial organisations are eligible to apply for funds under this program
- Multiple applications for the same event in the same financial year will not be considered
Successful applicants are required to submit an acquittal within 12 weeks post event which includes as a minimum:
- Comprehensive financial report
- Attendee statistical data, including origin postcode
- Marketing report
- Evidence of Council funding acknowledgement
The following acknowledgement is required for this program:
- Western Downs Regional Council branded signage placed in prominent position throughout event site
- Verbal (and video if available) acknowledgement from MC
- Online acknowledgement on social media platforms, event website with prominent placement of Western Downs Regional Council logo
- A site provided free of charge within event zone for Western Downs Regional Council Tourism marquee
A pre-lodgement meeting must be arranged between the applicant, and the Economic Development Team for discussion and guidance.