Maitland’s fifth annual Riverlights Multicultural Festival has been hailed a massive success injecting $1.6 million into the local economy.
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Maitland councillors were informed of the news at a recent council meeting, applauding council staff and organisers on a job well done.
This year’s event was held on The Levee on October 8 attracting about 9000 people to the celebration of cultural diversity.
Twenty two community groups hosted a cultural village showcasing the sights, sounds, smell and taste of their culture.
A citizenship ceremony, welcoming eight new citizens, was conducted on the day by Mayor Peter Blackmore.
The number of people who visited the event was slightly down on last year’s attendance, organisers attributing the drop in visitation to overcast and windy weather in the afternoon and light rain in the evening.
A report by council’s Marketing and Communications Manager Rachel MacLucas said a tourist impact model which applies data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, was used to calculate income from the event.
The report said this year council contributed $40,000 to Riverlights. “This allocation was supported by $10,000 from The Levee marketing budget as well as $5935 in stall income and about $6700 of in kind media support,” the report said.
Councillor Bob Geoghegan said Riverlights was a huge money spinner for the city and resulted in a balanced budget.
“Riverlights has positioned itself as an outstanding and highly regarded, proactive social and educational event in helping promote multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion to the general public,” Ms MacLucas said.
“It creates many opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse communities,” Ms MacLucas said.
“Its reach has extended beyond Maitland to make it a regional visitor attraction and ensures that even the most marginalised communities have an opportunity to be represented.
“The planning period before the festival is a prime opportunity for capacity building projects and activities that benefit a wide range of people associated with the festival.
“These activities extend the value of the festival itself and provide an attractive portfolio of council’s accomplishments for future funding,” she said.