Draft Event and Festival Strategy 2019 - 2024

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link


Thank you to everyone who contributed to this consultation. On Monday 8 July 2019, Council adopted the inaugural Events and Festivals Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2024.

The Strategy will aim to lead and facilitate the successful and professional delivery of meaningful, creative, quality events for our community and visitors and take advantage of what makes Lake Macquarie a distinctive destination.


Thank you to everyone who contributed to this consultation. On Monday 8 July 2019, Council adopted the inaugural Events and Festivals Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2024.

The Strategy will aim to lead and facilitate the successful and professional delivery of meaningful, creative, quality events for our community and visitors and take advantage of what makes Lake Macquarie a distinctive destination.



  • Future festivals to put Lake Mac on the map

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    Lake Macquarie City Council will deliver at least 20 signature events each year under a draft action plan guiding festivals and events across the City.

    Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser, said the draft Event and Festival Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2024 provides a framework to present a diverse range of entertaining, vibrant and engaging events and cultural activities for the community.

    “We are committed to providing opportunities for everyone – regardless of age or background – to experience and participate in our events and festivals,” Cr Fraser said.

    Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism, Jacqui Hemsley, said the draft Plan is the first step in realising the future direction and growth potential of events and festivals for the City.

    “Successful signature events like the Living Smart Festival, Float Your Boat and the Superboats, already attract more than 110,000 people to our City each year,” Ms Hemsley said.

    “This draft Plan provides a foundation for more great events in Lake Macquarie over the next five years. It covers everything from small events that enable active participation in community life to large outdoor festivals that attract visitors from across New South Wales and beyond.”

    Some of the key deliverables identified in the plan include delivering more than $400,000 in funding towards targeted annual events programs, delivering a minimum of 20 signature/iconic events for the City, developing and promoting a corporate and conference prospectus, and hosting an international signature event with wide economic benefit.

    The community can provide feedback before Saturday 1 June 2019 at shape.lakemac.com.au/event-festival-strategy.

    Snapshot of our event and festival landscape

    • Council produces and coordinates five major events a year, Lake Macquarie Festival, Carols by Candlelight, Lake Mac Big Weekend, Living Smart Festival and Float Your Boat, attracting more than 110,000 participants.
    • Council also partners to facilitate many other events each including Lake Mac City Pro Junior, Music in the Podium, Rathmines Catalina Festival, NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, Port to Port, Loop the Lake, Lake Macquarie Running Festival, Fernleigh 15, Lakefest and the Hunter Track Classic.
    • Since 2015, Council has provided more than $252,000 in funding to support 34 Business Chamber events in Warners Bay, Toronto, Swansea and Belmont.
    • Council funded, through the Community Grants Program and in-kind support, 105 community events in 2017-2018.
    • The Living Smart Festival was named Australian Community Event of the Year for 2017 at the Australian Event Awards.
      •