Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has welcomed significant NSW Government funding that will help reconnect communities in the Tamworth Region through the establishment and continuation of events.

Mr Anderson said Tamworth Regional Council has been successful in securing $287,582 from the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Fund to host a range of community-based events that would fill the social calendar and provide great, free activities and entertainment for the community.

“Tamworth Regional Council’s events team have a history of hosting nationally and regionally significant events like Tamworth Country Music Festival, Fiesta La Peel, and the recent NAIDOC week celebration,” Mr Anderson said.

“With such a strong track record, the NSW Government is backing their busy events schedule, allowing council to host free or low-cost events and activities that will help support local businesses and the community.

“After the past two years of isolations, our community is looking forward to seeing many of our much-loved events return bigger than ever and this significant NSW Government funding provides surety that these events will return.

“The community should be on the look out for more announcements to come as the events are announced over the coming months.”

Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb said that the financial assistance was very welcome.

“It is wonderful to see our annual events finally returning to their usual programming after a tumultuous few years. This funding will help ensure that we can create some fantastic experiences and bring the community together again”, he said. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Community Events Program will support the state’s events and hospitality sectors while bolstering economic recovery. 

“The past two years have been difficult, with many unpredictable events including floods, drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, but we know NSW residents will come out the other side stronger and more resilient,” Mr Toole said.

“People have been disconnected from family and friends but now they’re getting out and about again, we want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.

“The NSW Nationals in Government are backing events that bring local communities together and this funding will help contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness in 2022 and beyond.”

The $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program is part of the $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW that will create new jobs and support community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.

For further information, go to: www.regional.nsw.gov.au/CommunityEvents.