)
The New South Wales government has today established a $43 million fund to support organisers of major events and festivals that have been cancelled or disrupted by COVID-19 public health orders.
The funding will ensure that organisers that have to cancel, postpone or vary their events because of new public health orders will receive financial support to pay suppliers, staff and recover other costs.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the ‘Event Saver Fund’ is a lifeline for major event organisers, providing them with the financial security and certainty to plan and deliver future events in the state.
“Major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state,” Premier Perrottet said.
“The Event Saver Fund will ensure that organisers aren’t left high and dry as we work through this latest phase of the pandemic and sends a strong signal that the Government is here to support business.”
Expressions of interest are now open for the Event Saver program for organisers of major events scheduled to be held between 15 December 2021 to the end of 2022, and will close on 30 September 2022.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding was recognition of the important impact major events have on driving tourism as well as on the broader NSW economy.
“Festivals and major events are huge drawcards and they have been significantly disrupted by the latest Omicron wave of COVID-19,” Kean said.
“It is vital we provide them the support they need when their event is impacted by a Public Health Order. That is exactly what this funding commitment does.”
For more information and to apply for funding, please visit www.create.nsw.gov.au.
Updated at 11.46am AEDT on 17 January 2022.
)
