Funding boost for regional Queensland events

Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones has announced more than $245,000 in Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) funding to support leading events in regional Queensland communities.

Ms Jones said the latest round of TEQ's Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP) marked two years since the program was introduced.

"Over the past two years, our Government has delivered almost $4.5 million to support destination tourism events across Queensland," Ms Jones said.

"Under round six of the program we'll provide more than $245,000 to help deliver 13 events, delivering on our commitment to make Queensland the best destination for live events in Australia.

"The program, which has three funding rounds a year, supports our vision to build Queensland's reputation as the leading tourism and events destination.

"We want to support events that attract visitors to regional Queensland destinations and contribute an economic boost to local communites.

"As we look to grow our events offering around Queensland, I'm pleased to say the Jungle Love Music and Arts Festival at Imbil, near the Sunshine Coast, will receive funding for the first time under this round."

Ms Jones said the program had delivered a number of great success stories, including Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, which have now been elevated to TEQ's major events calendar.

"These two events were also gold medal award winners at the recent Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin, a sure sign of their growing reputation as iconic Queensland events," she said.

"Events help bring people together to celebrate Queensland's unforgettable experiences, and capture the character of our diverse regions."

The list of successful funding recipients under round six of QDEP can be found below.

Submissions for QDEP round seven are currently open for events which take place between December 2017 and January 2019. For more information, please visit the TEQ website.

Successful QDEP round six events:

• Abbey Medieval Festival, Brisbane, 8-9 July 2017 - $36,000
• Quandamooka Festival, Brisbane, 1 August-1 October 2017 - $24,999
• Spirit of Bundaberg Festival, Bundaberg, 14 October 2017 - $15,000
• Mackay Beach Horse Races, Mackay, 17-19 August 2017 - $15,000
• Blackall Heartland Festival, Outback Queensland, 20-22 October 2017 - $10,000
• Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic, Outback Queensland, 27-29 October 2017 - $10,000
• Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft & Australian Chapmionship Rodeo, Southern Queensland Country, 23-29 October 2017 - $20,000
• The Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival, Southern Queensland Country, 23 February-4 March 2018 - $40,000
• Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, Sunshine Coast, 30 November-2 December 2017 - $10,000
• Taste Port Douglas, presented by Sheraton Mirage, Tropical North Queensland, 11-13 August 2017 - $15,000
• Yarrabah Band Festival, Tropical North Queensland, 4 November 2017 - $20,000
• Cairns Tropical Pride, Tropical North Queensland, 30 September - 8 October 2017 - $15,000
• Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Whitsundays, 9-12 November 2017 - $15,000
• TOTAL FUNDING - $245,999

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