Council supports festival

Gosford Council has resolved to support this year's Brisbane Water Oyster Festival with $5000 in funding plus in-kind support to the value of $2000.

Council was approached again to sponsor the community event for this year and next year.

The request was for $7700 each year plus photocopying of the festival program (2000 copies), road closure barrier boards, a rubbish removal mini skip and additional garbage bins for rubbish, a small and large stage, council's small public address system and electrical assistance.

Road closure assistance would include a portable variable message board on Brisbane Water Dr to notify residents of road closures, signage for road closure including "No Parking", "No Stopping" and "No Left Turn" and signage to indicate parking areas.

Rubbish assistance would include the removal of rubbish from park bins prior to event and removal of festival rubbish after event

The electrical assistance would be used to support electrical extension cords above ground.

The report stated that "council supports many community events and in view of other sponsorships, this request is more than most".

"Last year the financial support was $5000."

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

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce was co-ordinating the event and was outsourcing its management to Imminent Marketing.

The Brisbane Water Oyster Festival and Blessing of the Fleet was established in 2000 by the Chamber to showcase the Peninsula, the local oyster farming and the professional fishing industry.

A report from council stated that the festival had become very popular with both Central Coast residents and visitors attracting thousands of people to the waterfront where thousands of dozens of oysters are consumed.

Supported by Brisbane Water Shellfish QAP and the Professional Fisherman's Association this year's event will be held on Sunday, November 12, and will include The Queen of the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival fundraiser, flotilla of boats on Brisbane Water, Ocean Planet kayak race, the blessing of the fleet, wine tasting, live entertainment, food and craft stalls

To follow up from last year the Queen of the Oyster Festival competition will be held in the lead-up to festival with the aim of giving local businesses the opportunity to be involved in the festival and to promote their business through sponsoring a queen candidate.

During the competition the Queen will fundraise for The Cancer Council NSW Breast Cancer Challenge, last year raising over $34,000.

Council agenda COM.36, September 26