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Events across Queensland benefit from new funding
29 May 2019
More than $900,000 worth of grants has been awarded to events across Queensland in the latest round of Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP) funding.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said 26 events from across the state would receive additional support through the 12th round of QDEP funding.
“QDEP’s latest round of tourism funding will provide over $900,000 in additional support to 26 events taking place across Queensland this year,” Ms Jones said.
“A total of seven events have received grants for the first time ever, including the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival, Beach Rugby League on the Gold Coast and Beat the Heat Festival in Cloncurry.
“The other 19 events have been successful recipients of QDEP’s funding in the past, including the Sunshine Coast’s Caloundra Music Festival, Gold Coast World Masters and Cairns Amateurs in Tropical North Queensland.
“Recipients can use the funding towards developing and growing their event through marketing resources, employing specialised personnel and hiring temporary infrastructure.
“The Government continues to invest in events because they are vital to our state’s economy – events attract visitors, create jobs for locals and put Queensland on the travel radar.
“Events provide the opportunity for visitors to spend more money with many extending their trip to explore the diverse and unique tourism experiences on offer.
“Since QDEP’s launch in 2015, the Queensland Government has invested more than $8.7 million through the program, supporting a total of 256 events, delivering strong benefits to the state’s $25 billion tourism economy.”
Entries are now open for QDEP’s Round 13 funding, available for events being held in Queensland between January 2020 - January 2021.
For more information visit https://teq.queensland.com/events/events-support/queensland-destination-events-program
Events to receive QDEP Round 12 funding include:
| Event Name | Location | Event Dates | Funding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laidley Spring Festival & Family Fun Day (new) | Brisbane | 12 – 14 September 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival (new) | Brisbane | 7 – 8 September 2019 | $10,000 | |
| RedFest Strawberry Festival | Brisbane | 6 – 8 September 2019 | $20,000 | |
| Capricorn Film Festival 2019 | Capricorn | 20 – 23 November 2019 | $10,000 | |
| One Hot Night 2019 | Capricorn | 28 – 29 December 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Under The Trees Music & Arts Festival (new) | Gladstone | 21 September 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Beach Rugby Australia - Festival 2019 (new) | Gold Coast | 6 – 8 September 2019 | $12,500 | |
| Buskers by the Creek (new) | Gold Coast | 18 – 20 October 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Crafted Festival | Gold Coast | 7 September 2019 | $15,000 | |
| Gold Coast World Masters | Gold Coast | 13 – 19 October 2019 | $19,000 | |
| SWELL Sculpture Festival | Gold Coast | 13 – 22 September 2019 | $25,000 | |
| Beat the Heat Festival 2019 (new) | Outback Queensland | 13 – 14 September 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Great Northern Brewing Co Warwick Rodeo and Pryde's Easifeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft | Southern Queensland Country | 21 – 27 October 2019 | $19,800 | |
| Jungle Love Festival | Sunshine Coast | 28 November – 1 December 2019 | $20,000 | |
| Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Fest | Sunshine Coast | 19 – 22 September 2019 | $15,000 | |
| Cairns Amateurs | Tropical North Queensland | 12 – 14 September 2019 | $25,000 | |
| Crocodile Trophy 2019 | Tropical North Queensland | 12 – 19 October 2019 | $20,000 | |
| Palm Cove Reef Feast | Tropical North Queensland | 4 – 6 October 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Port Shorts Film Festival (new) | Tropical North Queensland | 21 – 26 October 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Airlie Beach Festival of Music | The Whitsundays | 8 – 10 November 2019 | $25,000 | |
| Hamilton Island Triathlon | The Whitsundays | 23 November 2019 | $10,000 | |
| Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim | The Whitsundays | 24 November 2019 | $10,000 | |
| BIGSOUND Festival | Brisbane | 3 – 6 September 2019 | $165,000 | Multiyear funding |
| Caloundra Music Festival (CMF) | Sunshine Coast | 4 – 7 October 2019 | $180,000 | Multiyear funding |
| Monster Energy PBR Australia Grand Final | Townsville North Queensland | 15 – 17 November 2019 | $150,000 | Multiyear funding |
| Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival | Southern Queensland Country | 28 February – 8 March 2020 | $80,000 | Multiyear funding |