NSW GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH 15 COUNCILS TO HOST MAJOR CULTURAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

NSW Government

The state’s events calendar just got bigger thanks to the NSW Government investing $8 million into 21 major cultural festivals and events run by local councils across Sydney, the Hunter and Newcastle, and the Illawarra.

Grant funding of up to $500,000 a year for two years has been awarded to 15 local councils across the state’s Six Cities regions to host major multicultural events and festivals in partnership with the NSW Government.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said each partnership with the councils will help make their events bigger tourism attractions and local economy boosters.

“To have 21 different multicultural events hosted by 15 councils across the state’s Six Cities regions is a testament to NSW’s rich cultural and religious diversity,” Mr Coure said.

“This funding will help each of these councils take their events and festivals to the next level.”

· Blacktown City Council

· Campbelltown City Council

· City of Canterbury Bankstown

· Cumberland City Council

· Georges River Council

· Inner West Council

· Lake Macquarie City Council

· Liverpool City Council

· Maitland City Council

· City of Newcastle

· Port Stephens Council

· Shellharbour City Council

· Strathfield Council

· Willoughby City Council

· Wollongong City Council

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the partnerships will be a real win for the residents and visitors of local communities.

“Local Councils are the level of government closest to the community, so the NSW Government working directly with councils in our six cities will ensure these celebrations benefit their communities directly,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“By partnering with councils, we are boosting local cultural celebrations led by local leaders, helping to cater for bigger crowds so tourists can experience everything their city has to offer.”

The Six Cities Regions comprise the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle City, Central Coast City, Illawarra-Shoalhaven City, Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City.

Successful councils can use the funding for festivals in 2023 and 2024. All successful councils will partner with the NSW Government and co-fund to host events. For more information, visit www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au

MEDIA: Scott Hodder | Minister Coure | 0455 094 282

Damien Bolte | Minister Tuckerman | 0498 359 624

Funding recipients include:

Council	Festival	Funding over two years
Liverpool City Council	Motherland African Cultural Festival Pacific Summer Primavera Latin American Festival	$800,000
Cumberland City Council	Lunar New Year Ramadan Street Food Festival Diwali	$700,000
Willoughby City Council	Lunar New Year Gai-mariagal Festival Emerge Festival	$980,000
Strathfield Council	Strathfield Festival	$468,000
Inner West Council	Culture X Ashfield	$137,454.80
City of Canterbury Bankstown	Ramadan Nights Lakemba	$1,000,000
Wollongong City Council	DancePlant Festival	$625,000
Port Stephens Council	Winter Heat Raymond Terrace	$100,000
Shellharbour City Council	Cultural Treasures – Enchanted Forest	$400,000
Blacktown City Council	Flavours of Blacktown	$500,000
City of Newcastle	New Annual	$400,000
Georges River Council	The Good Taste Festival featuring Lunar New Year	$240,000
Maitland City Council	Maitland Riverlights Multicultural Festival	$650,000
Campbelltown City Council	Campbelltown Ramadan Night Markets	$600,000
Lake Macquarie City Council	Living Smart Festival Weekend	$400,000