Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
The 2026–2027 Queenstown Lakes District Events Fund supports events that deliver community benefits, sustainability, and economic impact. The fund prioritizes initiatives promoting environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and active transport, with funding available for eligible costs such as venue hire, sustainability planning, and waste minimization strategies.
Overview
The Events Fund by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) aims to support events that provide measurable community, economic, and environmental benefits. The fund encourages organisers to deliver events that are:
- Environmentally sustainable
- Economically impactful
- Diverse and inclusive
- Aligned with community and council objectives
The initiative promotes a balanced and sustainable event portfolio, ensuring that funding enhances the overall quality and benefit of events across the district.
Eligible Events and Activities
- Events must take place at least partially within Queenstown Lakes District
- Organisers must be a legal entity (trust, company, or incorporated society) with proof of legal status
- Compliance with regulatory, statutory, and permit requirements is mandatory
- Public liability insurance must be in place
- Events must be planned and delivered within the funding timeframe
Eligible costs include:
- Sustainability staff or specialist support for waste minimization and emissions reduction
- Equipment or services to implement waste reduction strategies
- Active Transport Plans (e.g., park and ride, bike parking)
- Traffic management plans
- Venue hire at QLDC locations
- Other costs directly aligned with environmental and community objectives
Funding exclusions:
- Conventions, conferences, seminars, or tradeshows
- Private functions, lunches, or dinners
- Marketing or incentive programs
- Events already held or scheduled before the funding timeframe
Funding Details
- Major Events: Up to six events requesting over $30,000 may be funded annually
- Funding is performance-based and aligned with QLDC’s sustainability and community objectives
Who is Eligible?
- Legal entities such as trusts, companies, or incorporated societies
- Organisers must have no outstanding debts to QLDC
- Applicants must declare all other funding, grants, or donations received for the event
- Events must comply with all local laws, permits, and insurance requirements
How to Apply / How It Works
- Prepare Application: Include event details, sustainability and community benefit plans, budget breakdown, and evidence of legal status.
- Submit Application: Ensure full compliance with eligibility and regulatory requirements.
- Assessment: Applications are evaluated based on:
- Environmental sustainability and waste reduction measures
- Economic and community impact
- Event diversity and inclusivity
- Alignment with QLDC priorities
- Funding Allocation: Approved events receive funding to support delivery of sustainable and community-focused activities.
- Project Delivery & Reporting: Events must be executed within the approved timeframe, with evidence of compliance and outcomes reported to QLDC.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Emphasize sustainability measures and environmental impact reduction
- Demonstrate community and economic benefits
- Provide detailed cost breakdowns and timelines
- Highlight inclusive and diverse event programming
- Ensure all regulatory and insurance requirements are met
Why It Matters
The QLDC Events Fund strengthens the district by:
- Supporting sustainable, socially responsible events
- Encouraging community engagement and participation
- Promoting environmentally conscious practices
- Enhancing the economic impact and visibility of local events
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the Events Fund?
Legal entities such as trusts, companies, or incorporated societies with events held in Queenstown Lakes District.
2. What types of events are eligible?
Events that provide community benefits, sustainability initiatives, and economic impact. Conventions, private functions, marketing campaigns, and pre-scheduled events are ineligible.
3. What funding is available?
Up to six major events requesting over $30,000 each may receive funding annually, with smaller events supported at QLDC discretion.
4. What costs can be funded?
Sustainability staff, waste reduction equipment/services, venue hire, traffic management, active transport plans, and other costs aligned with fund objectives.
5. Are there compliance requirements?
Yes, events must comply with all regulatory, statutory, permit, and insurance requirements. Organisers must declare any other funding sources.
6. Can events receive funding for alcohol or marketing?
No, the fund does not support alcohol purchases, marketing, or incentive programs.
7. When must events be held?
Within the 2026–2027 funding timeframe as specified by QLDC.
Conclusion
The QLDC Events Fund 2026–2027 enables community and commercial event organisers to deliver impactful, sustainable, and inclusive events. By prioritising environmental sustainability, community benefits, and economic impact, the fund fosters a vibrant and resilient district-wide event landscape.
For more information, visit QLDC.
