NSW Nationals: Myall Lakes Reconnected through Nats event funding

Nationals Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead, has announced $311,545 from the NSW Government’s $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program for Barrington Coast Connects.

Mr Bromhead said MidCoast Council was successful in securing funding for the Barrington Coast Connects project, which aims to reinvigorate and celebrate long term existing events as well as offer some new and exciting opportunities that showcase our diverse landscape and communities.

“Our events range from sports including basketball, football, paddling, biking, sailing and surfing. Music by the river, by the sea and in the shade of the mountain. Celebrations of our history, our culture and our citizens all topped off with a few big bangs” Mr Bromhead said.

“Barrington Coast Connects’ invites our community and visitors to shake off the droughts, the fires, the floods and the pandemic and celebrate the events and the places that make them feel connected and excited for a better future.”

The events which have been funded include the following which are running from September through until March 2023:

Killabakh Day in the Country Killabakh
Great Lakes Sailing Club – Wildcat Regatta Tiona
Riverstage Markets and Music Taree
Old Bar Beach Festival Old Bar
Old Bar Markets Old Bar
Junior Viking Challenge Forster
Taree Summer Regatta Taree
Rotary Club on Manning Australia Day Taree
Forster Island Paddle Festival Forster
Great Lakes Pro QS3000 Boomerang Beach
MidCoast MTB XC Series Kiwarrak
Taree Tornadoes 3×3 Basketball Competition Taree

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Community Events Program will support the state’s events and hospitality sectors while bolstering economic recovery.

“The past two years have been difficult, with many unpredictable events including floods, drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, but we know NSW residents will come out the other side stronger and more resilient,” Mr Toole said.

“People have been disconnected from family and friends but now they’re getting out and about again, we want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.

“The NSW Nationals in Government are backing events that bring local communities together and this funding will help contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness in 2022 and beyond.”

The $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program is part of the $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW that will create new jobs and support community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.

For further information, go to: nsw.gov.au/CommunityEvents