Lake Mac events take centre stage

Published on 24 June 2024

Lake Macquarie’s thriving events calendar will be bolstered by a funding frenzy following tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting.

Lake Macquarie councillors approved 25 applications for a total of $101,554 in round one of the Event and Festival Funding Program 2024-2025.

Italian themed destination festival Lago Di Mac ($18,000), the perpetually popular Morisset Lake Macquarie Show ($10,000) and running event Lake Mac Run ($9900) were among the big ticket items to receive funding.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Council was proud to support a diverse range of events.

“From arts to sports and smaller community events, a broad cross-section of the community will be supported to shine as a result of this funding,” she said.

“We anticipate some 56,000 people will attend events backed by this round, with a potential economic impact of $4.4 million.

“As a Council we are proud to support events and festivals which play a crucial role in stimulating community spending, creating employment opportunities and increasing participation and connectedness.”

In other agenda items Lake Macquarie councillors approved the draft North West Lake Macquarie Catalyst Area Place Strategy for public exhibition.

The strategy details two decades of growth opportunities for Teralba, Speers Point, Boolaroo, Cockle Creek, Argenton, Glendale and Cardiff, projecting more than $6 billion in annual economic output.

Councillors also resolved to make the ordinary rates for the new financial year commencing 1 July 2024.

The rates proposed were based on the 5.6 per cent rate peg from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for the 2024-2025 financial year, and the latest valuation of land by the Valuer General.

The full agenda and reports are available at meeting agendas and minutes.

The stream of tonight’s meeting will be available online at lakemac.com.au within 48 hours.