Conditions placed on Oyster Festival funding

Gosford Council has unanimously agreed to again sponsor this year's Brisbane Water Oyster Festival on the proviso that a minimum of 50 per cent of the profit for the event is kept as seed funding for the following year.

Council agreed to sponsor the Festival with $10,000 due to the long history of the event and the recent loss of such events such as the Flora Festival which acted as significant economic drivers for the Central Coast.

The request for sponsorship was sought by Festival organisers due to the difficulties in attracting sponsorship from commercial organisations on the Central Coast.

Council's staff report of Tuesday, July 3, stated that the recent decision by the Flora Festival Committee to no longer hold such an event due to the difficulties in being able to attract sufficient sponsors to allow such an event to occur demonstrated the difficulties being faced by such event organisers.

"Such events as the Oyster Festival generate significant economic benefits to the Central Coast, and markets the Central Coast as a destination for weekend stays," stated Council's report.

"This has a multiplier effect within the community through the spending of money by the visitors and supports business on the Central Coast."

In previous sponsorships, Gosford Council has supported the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival with the provision of a $10,000 per annum partnership arrangement, waiving Council fees and charges, logistical support from Parks and Recreation and City Services Directorate and promotional support and expertise.

"It is important to support local events and festivals to ensure continued attraction of locals and tourists to the Gosford LGA which provides an economic benefit to the Central Coast," according to a report from Council staff.

"The loss of such an event, particularly in light of the loss of the Australian Springtime Flora Festival for 2012 will have a significant financial impact for the Coast and hence Gosford Council should continue to provide sponsorship for such an event in 2012."

Cr Craig Doyle said he was hesitant to again provide financial support as the festival simply "wasn't sustainable" and organisers continued to apply for sponsorship every year, despite the approach of the Festival's 12th anniversary.

He said his decision to not support the motion was changed when Cr Vicki Scott suggested an amendment that the festival organisers retain 50 per cent of the profit in order to make the festival more sustainable.

Council also resolved to receive an event report within one month of the completion of the festival detailing both the audited financial and community benefits as a condition of sponsorship.

Gosford Council MM.10, 3 Jul 2012

Kaitlin Watts, 3 Jul 2012

Photo: Naomi Bridges