Ballina Shire Council Opens Funding for 2025/26 Festivals and Events

Ballina Shire Council has offcially opened its Festival and Event Sponsorship Program for the 2025/2026 fnancial year. Now in its 14th year, the program provides approximately $120,000 in funding for local festivals and events, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and connected community.

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader emphasized the importance of local events, stating, “Local events and festivals are essential for connecting and uniting our community, bringing positive social and economic benefts that enrich our region.”

To ensure event organisers have ample time to plan, the Council is inviting applications well ahead of the 2025/26 fnancial year. “If you’re planning an event in the Shire or know an organisation that could beneft from this funding, we encourage you to apply early,”

Mayor Cadwallader added.

Eligibility Criteria and Key Information

To be eligible for funding, events must meet the following criteria:

• The total cost of the event or festival must exceed $20,000.

• The event must be held within the Ballina Shire.

• Applicants must hold adequate public liability insurance.

Applications are open to a variety of events, including some of the region’s most successful festivals, such as:

• Alstonville New Year’s Eve Family Festival

• Love Lennox Festival

• Fair Go (skate competition event)

• Skullcandy Oz Grom Open (junior surfng competition event)

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: Friday, 8 November 2024

• Decision Announcement: December 2024 Council meeting, with applicants informed of the outcome by early January 2025.

For more information, including application forms and funding details, visit the Ballina Shire Council’s website: ballina.nsw. gov.au/FestivalEvents.