NSW Government seeking Proposals for Regional Events Acceleration Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 17-Dec-21

The NSW Government is seeking proposals for Regional Events Acceleration Fund to support organisations to attract new international and domestic events to regional NSW, or to expand existing regional events.

The Regional Events Acceleration Fund will bring new events to the regions and will help make existing events even better. It will stimulate regional economies, supporting recovery from the effects of drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19.

Objectives

The objective of the Regional Events Acceleration Fund is to:

Boost the economic and social recovery of regional NSW by attracting major events to regional areas and supporting existing regional events to grow
Allow regional communities greater access to world-class sporting, musical and cultural events and entertainment close to home.

Funding Information

Stream One: Major Event Operations and Infrastructure
- Maximum- $200,000
- Minimum- $50,000
Stream Two: Major Event Attraction and Enhancement
- Maximum- No maximum
- Minimum- $100,000

Funding Streams

The $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund will be available through two funding streams:

Major Event Operations and Infrastructure: Stream One supports existing regional events by funding (or part-funding) the operational improvements and infrastructure needed to boost event attendance and/or improve the visitor experience. Funding between $50,000 and $200,000 is available to support temporary event infrastructure and operational improvements. Event infrastructure is defined as temporary or hired equipment to improve visitor experience. Examples of eligible projects for Stream One funding include:
- the introduction of additional seating areas
- the installation of temporary event fencing
- securing a major artist/performance to increase an event’s appeal
- improvements to an event’s accessibility infrastructure (i.e. improved wheelchair access)
- additional staging for a music festival
- establishing a pop-up camping and caravan site to support more overnight stays
- improving temporary parking areas at an event.
Major Event Attraction and Enhancement: Stream Two supports the attraction, delivery and retention of major international and domestic events to regional areas across the state, with a particular focus on major sporting events that provide national or international exposure. For example, funding may be provided to help negotiate and secure a high-profile game, and its related events, of a major sporting code such as netball, rugby union, cricket or rugby league. Stream Two funding applications can be made for a minimum of $100,000 with no cap on the maximum grant application amount. Applications will be assessed in terms of value-for-money and the event’s ability to deliver strong economic benefit to regional NSW.

Eligible Event Timing

Events must be held between 1 March 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Eligible Event Types

The types of events that are eligible for funding include:

Major sporting and lifestyle events
Major food and beverage events
Major music, art and culture festivals.

Ineligible Event Types

Events ineligible for funding through the RegionalEvents Acceleration Fund include:

Regular community events such as markets, bazaars, sporting meets (i.e. home/away games, local tournaments), club gatherings (RSL, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce etc.), classes and workshops
Agricultural/country shows and field days
Charity funding events
Regional racing carnivals (i.e. horse or greyhound racing) and events occurring as part of a regular schedule of racing
Touring events and regular theatre programs
Business events and conferences
Events with religious ceremony or celebration as the principal focus (i.e. Easter or Christmas celebrations)
Community public holiday celebrations (i.e. Australia Day or Anzac Day)
Australian or state/territory government owned and/or operated events.

Eligible Locations

Only events hosted in one or more regional NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs), on Lord Howe Island or in the Unincorporated Far West Region are eligible for funding through the Regional Events Acceleration Fund.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for funding under the Regional Events Acceleration Fund applicants must:
- be the event owner (i.e. own, or have secured the rights to the event and have the relevant approvals for the event)
- be financially solvent
- be a sole trader, company, incorporated association or trust entity
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance and other relevant insurance cover.
Applicants must also be one of the following entities:
- the event organiser or committee
- a Local Council or Joint Organisation of Councils
- a not-for-profit organisation, including business chambers, industry associations and charities
- a sporting body (i.e. NSW or National Associations)
- a Local Aboriginal Land Council.
For-profit organisations may be considered eligible for funding only where projects will deliver a clear public benefit. A public/private partnership may seek funding where the lead applicant is an eligible entity.
Section 355 Committees of Council are eligible to apply where they have written approval from council and where the council agrees to receive the funding on behalf of the Section 355 Committee.