162 MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINARY MEETING - 16 SEPTEMBER 2015 7.2.10 Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival – Application for Events Assistance REPORT BY THE EVENTS COORDINATOR TO 16 SEPTEMBER 2015 COUNCIL MEETING Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival application for Events Assistance_council report 150916 GOV400043, FIN300052, ECO800009 RECOMMENDATION That: 1. the report by the Events Coordinator on the Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival - Application for Events Assistance be received; 2. Council provide an in-kind contribution of $138 to waive the hire fees for the use of the Gulgong Memorial Hall for the Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival Bush Dance on Friday 2 October 2015. 3. Council waive the facility hire bond of $550 for the use of the Gulgong Memorial Hall for the Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival Bush Dance on Friday 2 October 2015; and 4. Council decline the application for cash support for the Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival. Executive summary The Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival is a new event being established by the Gulgong Chamber of Commerce and will take place on the October Long Weekend. The event committee is requesting cash and in-kind support from Council. Detailed report The Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival is a new event being established by the Gulgong Chamber of Commerce and will take place on the October Long Weekend (2 to 4 October). The organisers hope that the festival will become an annual event in conjunction with the existing Gulgong Camel Races and Family Fun Day. It is estimated that the event will attract 1,500 locals and visitors. The event committee is requesting cash and in-kind support from Council. In-kind support is being requested in the form of waiving the Gulgong Memorial Hall hire fee ($138.00) and bond ($550.00) which is supported by Council staff. It is recommended that Council decline the request for cash support due to a number of factors. The 2015 Gulgong Camel Races and Family Fun Day have already received $2,500 in funding via the Events Assistance Program. It is unclear whether or not these are two separate events or if the Camel Races is part of the Gulgong Chinese Gold Festival. If the event is separate, staff have concerns about supporting two competing events occurring in Gulgong on the same weekend. If the events are being held in conjunction with each other, the Camel Races has already received the maximum funding amount eligible under the Events Assistance Program.