MUCH loved and iconic local events, like the Shepparton Festival, Fryers Street Food Festival and annual agricultural show, have been forced to cancel or scale back celebrations – with no clear return date in sight.
A new plan to inject vibrancy and confidence back into Shepparton’s shattered events sector will see major events eligible for up to $10M if they have to cancel at the last minute.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan has called for a Local Events Recovery Plan, which includes support to cover the potential cancellation of events.
“Local events have been shattered by uncertainty during the pandemic, with many choosing to cancel rather than risking wearing the high cost of calling things off at the last minute,” Ms Ryan said.
“These cancellations have been a big blow for the region, with local charities and service clubs missing fundraising opportunities and leaving people further isolated when our mental health is already suffering.”
The Nationals’ Local Events Recovery Plan was developed in consultation with the event sector, after operators felt abandoned by the Government’s roadmap.
It includes a call for a new $140M Local Events Insurance Scheme to cover the cost of the potential cancellation of events from $20,000 up to $10M, plus a new $20M Local Events Attraction Fund to help revive events in regional and rural communities.
