Published on Friday, 11 June 2021 at 1:31:06 PM
A decade ago the City developed a strategic event strategy aimed at elevating the region to the Events Capital WA. The backbone of this strategy was the introduction of a differential rating system which would provide the income needed to grow the City’s event and tourism profile. 
A Marketing and Events Reference Group (MERG) was established to make recommendations to Council on how funds accumulated through the differential rating system should be allocated. This strategy has worked very well. Over the last decade over $5.5million has been directed into marketing and events returning many times that amount to the local economy.
In the 2021/22 draft budget a total of $1,196,700 has been allocated to events, marketing and economic development initiatives. Council will support over 25 locally held events and initiatives. These include well established events such as X-Adventure Dunsborough, Busselton Fringe Festival and the Yallingup Malibu Classic. Funding will also be directed toward new and emerging events such as the Five Bays Swim, Fine Vines Festival and RAAF Centenary and Busselton Margaret River Airport Open Day. Other major events such as CinefestOZ and Ironman have continued to be supported through multi-year funding agreements.
The City will also invest in a major review of its Strategic Events Strategy to ensure it continues to return great outcomes for our growing community. Opportunities for public consultation are being explored, feedback at any time is always welcome.
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