DV Council backs Autumn Festival

Derwent Valley Council this week approved an unexpected $3000 grant towards this years’ Tasmanian Autumn Festival, which runs through the month of April.

It’s a reversal of a decision last year, prior to the inaugural festival, at which time Council agreed to a $15,000 grant on the basis the event organisers would ensure subsequent events were self-sustaining.

While that event was well-received and organised, including a clever guide for visitors searching on social media, the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands Tourism Association have been not been able to corral public/private sector funding to match it for this year.

At a special meeting at Chambers on Tuesday evening, Council reversed last year’s decision, agreeing to a $3000 top-up for promotion.

The motion, introduced by Cr Wayne Shoobridge, was carried, in the absences of Cr Sara Lowe and Cr Jessica Cosgrove.

Those present made the point that the Central Highlands Council should also be making a financial contribution to the month-long event as it benefitted a number of visitor venues in that municipality, in addition to some 21 businesses in the Derwent Valley. 

Cr Shoobridge, who initiated the unusual vote, said the main purpose of the Council’s contribution this year was to help the festival survive. 

The mayor, Michelle Dracoulis, is to approach Central Highlands Council mayor Loueen Triffitt about the matter of a contribution from her council too.