Drought Stimulus – Country Shows Sponsorship Packages

This program seeks to deliver economic stimulus and boost the liveability of communities in drought and bushfire affected areas by providing funding as a sponsorship package for country shows in 2020. It forms part of the NSW Government’s $170 million Drought Stimulus Package which aims to mitigate the employment and income impacts of the current drought in regional NSW by delivering economic stimulus.

The purpose of this program is to ensure shows can continue with increased funding certainty, flow money through local businesses and support communities overcoming the negative economic and social impacts of drought and bushfires.

A sponsorship package of up to $5,000 is available for each country show held in 2020.

Shows that are combining with other shows from the surrounding area may be granted a higher amount if requested. Initially, priority will be given to shows being held in the first half of 2020.

Applications are limited to one NSW Government sponsorship per show in a calendar year. Applications for funding must be submitted before the show has taken place. No funding can be approved if the application is made after the show has been held.

Eligible applicants include show organising committees.

Eligible activities include but are not limited to:
- Reduced stall fees for locally-based community organisations and local businesses.
- Locally-incurred expenses such as hiring equipment and other services.
- Marketing and promotion material for the show, if spent locally.
- Contributions to awards and prizes for competitions.
- Costs to support show exhibits and events.

Other expenses may be considered if it can be shown that the expenditure will be incurred in the local economy. The majority of the funding should be allocated towards locally-incurred expenditure.

Only shows that are going ahead in 2020, or combining with nearby shows, are eligible to receive funding.

The country show must be in regional NSW (outside of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong metropolitan areas) to be eligible for sponsorship.

The following are ineligible for funding (but not limited to):
- Fees and charges that are already covered by other sources or contributors.
- Reduced stall fees for non-local based businesses (i.e. showbag stalls or rides from outside the local area).
- Significant non-local based overheads and expenses (i.e. insurance premiums).
- Rent or hire fees for showgrounds and/or facilities.
- Activities associated with alcohol consumption or gambling.
- Shows that have received other NSW Government funding support to be held in 2020.