Major Events Program
The aim of the Major Events Program is to support organisations to deliver events that drive visitation, attraction, and tourism investment from outside the Western Downs on a recurring basis.
View the Factsheet(PDF, 381KB)
Priorities
The Major 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 planning and a comprehensive marketing strategy
- Demonstrate commitment to sourcing and engaging local businesses where possible
- Provide experiences for residents through programming and volunteer opportunities
- Consider the sustainability and growth of their event to ensure it remains future fit
- Are ongoing either through an annual or biennial schedule
- Must be aligned to Council’s corporate strategic direction as outlined in the Tourism & Destination Events Strategy 2023-2028 and the region’s cultural identity, heritage and/or history
- Must be an existing large-scale event preferably running for more than one day and with an attendance of more than 1,500 people of which a minimum of 40% are from outside of The Western Downs region
- 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)
- Potential marketing / promotion exposure must reach at minimum South-East Queensland
- Applicants must outline the organising committee’s commitment to support the local and regional economy through Local Spend
- Funding can be used to employ professionals to provide specific services to support the management of operational risks involved with the event
- Applicants must demonstrate their operational and financial capability to deliver and market the event. This may include details of the applicant’s previous experience and capabilities delivering events of a similar scale and nature
- This program will NOT support funds for distribution as prize money or for the purchase of prizes or for the purchase of alcohol
- This program will not support the following events:
- Town Christmas Celebrations
- Local Agricultural Shows
- All not for profit and commercial organisations are eligible to apply for funds under this program
- Funding may be provided in Cash and In Kind Assistance. In Kind Assistance requests must be submitted a minimum of 12 weeks prior to the event
- Your funding request must not exceed the total amount allocated by Council and available in this category. Applications received from commercial entities will be eligible for a maximum of $20,000.00 in funding including any In Kind Assistance requested
- The term of any approved funding will be for 3 years from commencement of the funding agreement (spanning two events for biennial events and three events for annual events)
- Funding will not be provided for events already funded under other Council funding programs
- The provision of a successful acquittal report will be required for the next year’s funding to be provided. Successful applicants are required to submit an acquittal within 12 weeks post event which includes as a minimum:
- Comprehensive financial report
- Statistical data including, but limited to, data on attendees postcodes.
- Marketing report
- Evidence of Council funding acknowledgement
- The following acknowledgement is required as a minimum 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
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.
All applicants must contact a member of the Major Events Team for a pre-lodgement discussion and guidance.