Council agrees to sponsor Oyster Festival again

Gosford Council has agreed to sponsor the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival on a sliding scale model of $10,000 in year one and reduce the funding by $2500 per year over a four year period.

This follows a review of the 2012 festival, which considered possibilities to make the festival financially self-sustaining.

The Brisbane Water Oyster Festival and Blessing of the Fleet was established in 2000 by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to show off the Peninsula, local oyster farming and the professional Fisherman's Association.

Gosford Council has supported the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival for a number of years providing in-kind and financial support.

Council's support in past years has been $5000 annually.

In 2008 there was a one off sponsorship of $10,000, plus the in-kind at a cost of approximately $2000.

Last year, Council also chose to sponsor the festival for $10,000.

As part of the agreement for the 2012 festival, a post report was received and presented to Council on February 26 this year.

Following discussions between Council staff and the organisers of the event, it was determined that for the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival to become sustainable in the future, ongoing funding would be required to facilitate this process.

Gosford Council Agenda GEN.7, 6 Aug 2013