Deadline: 22-Sep-2025
The Harvest Festival committee has opened Expressions of Interest for 2026, inviting eligible sole traders, businesses, creatives, companies, and organisations to propose innovative evening events that will enhance the Festival calendar and engage both the community and visitors.
The focus areas include adding value to the overall Harvest Festival program, involving and engaging the local community, attracting visitors to the region, and reflecting the harvest theme either through location, concept, or content.
Funding of up to $5,000 (exclusive of GST, if applicable) is available per application under the Event Innovation funding stream for eligible evening events. Applicants must provide a comprehensive event management plan, budget, marketing plan, or project plan prior to the final funding determination. Preference will be given to events that can attract attendees from outside the region, and proposals should stay true to the Festival’s values of celebrating local produce, culture, and community.
Eligible applicants must be legal entities such as sole traders, trusts, companies, or incorporated associations and provide evidence of their status. Events must be held within the Hinterland Central Coast and must take place in the evening. Applicants are also required to demonstrate extensive community involvement, possess $20 million Public Liability Insurance, and show the capacity to manage and deliver the proposed event effectively. Organizations with outstanding acquittals from previous Council funding are ineligible to apply until requirements are met.
The committee will consider bold and creative concepts such as outdoor cinemas, lighting installations, live music, degustation dinners, night markets, long table farm dinners, and lantern walks. Applications will be evaluated by an internal panel, with recommendations presented to the Festival committee for approval by mid to late November 2025. Notifications of outcomes will be provided by the end of November 2025, and successful applicants will enter into a funding agreement with Council.
Funding payments will be available from June 2026 upon completion of the funding acquittal report, though part payments may be made available for deposits on a case-by-case basis. Recipients are required to provide a comprehensive event report and financial acquittal within one month after the conclusion of their event, detailing attendance data, economic and social impacts, and expenditure aligned with the original event budget.
For more information, visit Central Coast Council.
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