As Australia battles with a festival crisis, new moves are being made to protect and secure the future of key local events.
The Minns Labor Government announced on Saturday (March 15th) that it is introducing a new events framework and announced the first round of Foundation Events in a bid to reduce red tape and recognise the importance of some of New South Wales’ biggest spectacles.
14 events have been named in the first round, including Bluesfest, Vivid Sydney, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Deni Ute Muster and SXSW Sydney, as well as other major sporting dates like the NRL men and women’s grand final and the Bathurst 1000.
“The event framework recognises that foundation events contribute not just economically but to the cultural fabric and tradition of the state,” a statement released on Saturday reads.
“For example, the NRL Grand Final should be assessed and supported differently to a travelling Premier League match due to its significance over many decades to NSW.
“Beyond generating economic value through direct event visitation, the framework will assess the social contribution and community benefits, as well as social and cultural legacy of events.
“The event framework gives event organisers certainty, which allows them to innovate with programming, drives culture, connects communities and generates economic growth.”
Foundation events will be prioritised for a minimum 3-year Strategic Investment Agreement with Destination NSW (or 3 events for bi-annual events) with renewals negotiated one year prior to the last event, aiming to give event organisers more certainty and more time to plan ahead.
“We are building the calendar and investing for growth. These events light up the calendar, they have become part of who we are, and it’s time we give them the recognition and certainty they deserve,” Minister for Arts, Tourism, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham said.
“The NSW calendar has an incredible line up of events, special times in our annual calendar that allow us to come together for iconic moments. The foundation events framework gives these festivals certainty so they can keep producing these important experiences for us all to share.
“What these incredibly fun and unique events speak to, is government supporting local communities to play to their strengths and then tell their local story to the world. Locals know what works in their patch. We support them to do it!”
The list of events is expected to be reviewed periodically, and more will be announced in the future.
The move comes at a time when the Australian festival scene is in a precarious position. Major events like Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo will not return in 2025, while smaller shows like Souled Out was called off just days out from going ahead, as was Victoria’s Esoteric Festival.
On Friday, it was revealed that the famous home of Splendour in Byron Bay since 2013 has been put up for sale, bringing into question the future of the beloved festival altogether.
“While Splendour in the Grass remains on hiatus, the team is working on exciting new projects,” Live Nation told Rolling Stone AU/NZ in a statement.
“We remain focused on the future of our festival events and will share updates as they develop.”
