Regional Events Acceleration Fund Program Guidelines
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Regional Events Acceleration Fund Program Guidelines CONTENTS Message from the Deputy Premier . 3 Overview . .4 Program objective . .4 Key Dates . 5 Funding Streams . 5 Stream One – Major Event Operations and Infrastructure 5 Stream Two - Major Event Attraction and Enhancement 6 Grant Amounts . 6 Eligibility Criteria . 7 Eligible applicants 7 Eligible event timing 7 Eligible event types 7 Ineligible event types 7 Eligible locations 8 Assessment Criteria . .8 Assessment Process . 9 How to apply . 9 Available support . 9 Successful Projects . 10 Unsuccessful Projects . 10 Important Terms and Conditions . .11 Complaints . .11 Government Information (Public Access) Act . .11 Copyright . 12 Disclaimer . 12 Appendix A - Eligible LGAs . 13 2 Regional Events Acceleration Fund | Program Guidelines MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY PREMIER With stunning coastlines, natural forests and parks, snow-capped mountains, vineyards, historic towns, and the rugged outback, regional NSW boasts some of the very best backdrops for all kinds of world-class sporting, music and other cultural events. Our regions are home to several major events, many of which are known all over the world. Major events not only showcase our regional places and communities to people across Attracting and supporting major events to the country and overseas, they contribute establish and thrive in our regions also means significantly to our regional economies by regional communities can enjoy major events and attracting more visitors to the region. Visitors entertainment in their local area. who stay in local accommodation, eat in local restaurants and cafes, and visit local attractions The Regional Events Acceleration Fund and buy from local businesses. complements the NSW Government’s Regional Event Fund managed by Destination NSW, which The cancellation of major events due to COVID-19 to date has supported more than 380 flagship over the past year has impacted local event regional events and smaller community-based venues, workers and communities who rely on events impacted by drought and the 2019-2020 the influx of visitors and tourist dollars. bushfire. That is why the NSW Government has established I encourage eligible organisations to review the $20 million Regional Events Acceleration these program guidelines, get in touch with Fund as part of the recharged $2 billion Regional the Department of Regional NSW and submit Growth Fund, to encourage new domestic and a funding application to help make regional international events to our regions and support NSW the premier location for world-class major existing regional major events to grow bigger and sporting and cultural events. better. The Fund will support eligible organisations to attract new major sporting, lifestyle and culture events to regional areas, creating more local jobs and driving greater visitation. The Hon. John Barilaro MP The Fund will also support the enhancement of existing events by providing operational Deputy Premier support, which could include attracting a major Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade artist to increase an event’s appeal, adding more temporary seating for more visitors to attend or establishing a pop-up camping and caravan site to support overnight stays. 3 Regional Events Acceleration Fund | Program Guidelines OVERVIEW Major events bring tens of thousands of metropolitan, interstate and international visitors to regional NSW each year. Visitors not only spend money at these events, but at local cafes and restaurants, service stations, bars, tourist attractions and accommodation. Major events help boost local economies, create jobs and ensure local communities have access to world-class entertainment at their doorstep. Hosting a major event can also position a regional area as an attractive destination to visit again, bringing visitors back to further explore the region. The $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund will 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. PROGRAM OBJECTIVE 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. 4 Regional Events Acceleration Fund | Program Guidelines KEY DATES FUNDING STREAMS The $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Applications open Tuesday, 23 February 2021 Fund will be available through two funding streams: Applications close 5pm on Friday, 17 December 2021 or when funding is fully committed Stream One – Major Event Operations Assessment and approximately six weeks and Infrastructure approval process from submission 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. As part of their application for Stream One funding, applicants must demonstrate how the event infrastructure and operational support will help boost event attendance, improve the visitor experience or lead to increased length of stay. The Regional Events Acceleration Fund does not support permanent event infrastructure projects. Future NSW Government funding programs may consider funding fixed capital investments in tourism infrastructure. 5 Regional Events Acceleration Fund | Program Guidelines Stream Two - 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. Applicants seeking to attract or retain major events in a regional area are advised to consider holding the event in off-peak tourism periods to ensure there is enough accommodation and visitor services available. Events that are strategically scheduled to boost visitation during off-peak tourism periods are preferable. Applicants are strongly encouraged to make a financial co-contribution to their projects and demonstrate this in their funding applications, however it is not a mandatory eligibility requirement. GRANT AMOUNTS Stream One Major Event Operations and Infrastructure Minimum Maximum $50,000 $200,000 Stream Two Major Event Attraction and Enhancement Minimum Maximum $100,000 No maximum 6 Regional Events Acceleration Fund | Program Guidelines ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Eligible Event Timing Events must be held between 1 March 2021 to 30 Eligible applicants June 2022. To be eligible for funding under the Regional Events Acceleration Fund applicants must: Eligible event types • be the event owner (i.e. own, or have The types of events that are eligible for funding secured the rights to the event and have the include: relevant approvals for the event) • be financially solvent • major sporting and lifestyle events • be a sole trader, company, incorporated • major food and beverage events association or trust entity • major music, art and culture festivals. • have an Australian Business Number (ABN) • have a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance and other relevant Ineligible event types insurance cover. Events ineligible for funding through the Regional Applicants must also be one of the following Events Acceleration Fund include: entities: • regular community events such as markets, • the event organiser or committee bazaars, sporting meets (i.e. home/away games, local tournaments), club gatherings • a Local Council or Joint Organisation of (RSL, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce etc.), Councils classes and workshops • a not-for-profit organisation, including • agricultural/country shows and field days business chambers, industry associations and charities • charity funding events • a sporting body (i.e. NSW or National • regional racing carnivals (i.e. horse or Associations) greyhound racing) and events occurring as part of a regular schedule of racing • a Local Aboriginal Land Council. • touring events and