Parkes is known for its Elvis Festival, Tamworth is on the map for its annual Country Music Festival, while Byron is home to the Bluesfest. Now the Tweed Shire is on the hunt for events it can call its own.
Whether it be markets, music, food, art, festivals, sports events or something completely new, Council is seeking feedback from residents and visitors on what types of events they would like to see in the Tweed.
The Tweed Shire Events Strategy 2016-2020 was extended until December 2021, allowing Council officers to determine a strategic direction for events within the Tweed in a post-COVID-19 world.
Leading regional tourism and events agency, the Tilma Group, has been appointed to assist in setting Council’s event direction for the next four years, by aligning events with the desires of the community.
As part of the review process, the consultant will engage with key stakeholders through interviews, consultation sessions and workshops.
Council’s Events Officer ,Kerrie McConnell said the review would help to clearly establish the status of the events sector in the region, the opportunities and challenges for growth, and to get the right mix of events to attract, retain and nurture into the future.
“We’ve had to look at events and gatherings a bit differently over the past few years but it’s important in moving forward that we honour what we value as a community,” Ms McConnell said.
“We need to support, develop and attract events that reflect the character of the Tweed, so we can come together to celebrate where we live and who we are as a community. It will be this passion that helps drive events forward and encourages us to anticipate their return each year.”
The information gathered in this phase of the project will help inform a discussion paper to be presented to a Councillor workshop in February 2022.
There will also be a further opportunity for the community to engage in early 2022 when the Draft Strategy is placed on public exhibition.
For your opportunity to provide input, go to yoursaytweed.com.au/eventsstrategy. The survey closes on 4 January 2022.
