JOSH BRINE AND ERIN WILLIAMS
ALL three Riverland councils will continue to support a popular local event, despite its shift to an alternate format in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Berri Barmera Council will provide $1500 in funding plus in-kind support that was requested by the Riverland Wine and Food Festival, currently scheduled for October 16 to 18.
The festival, normally held along the Berri river front, will be held at venues across the Riverland, with businesses registering to host individual events at their own venues as part of the Festival.
Berri Barmera councillors also moved to allow council staff to use the remaining $11,250 allocated in the budget for the event to support businesses that want to take part in the festival.
Elected members suggested subsidising sign-up fees for Berri Barmera businesses that register events as one possible method of support.
Berri Barmera chief executive officer Karyn Burton said supporting local businesses to get involved with the festival would help ensure the council area still sees some of the benefit of the event.
“We’re also trying to nurse the festival through this COVID period so that it isn’t lost,” she said.
“Hopefully we can keep some interest in it moving forward so hopefully it comes back bigger and stronger with the new model once these restrictions are lifted.”
Renmark Paringa councillors at their August general meeting also voted to provide $1500 for the event.
Renmark Paringa Mayor Neil Martinson said council wanted to ensure the event could still “go ahead in a different format in the face of such challenging times”.
“Council is pleased to support these events in order to give our local community something great to look forward to,” Mr Martinson said.
The District Council of Loxton Waikerie (DCLW) is contributing $1500 from its unallocated 2020/21 Community Support funding for the festival.
DCLW CEO David Beaton said keeping links between locals, visitors and wine tourism across the region was more important than ever.
“In previous years, council’s contribution has assisted with the bus travels going to and from the festival – but obviously, as the festival isn’t running in its usual way, council was asked to provide a smaller contribution,” he said.
“It’s important to see this event going ahead despite the difficulties, as so many other events this year have been cancelled.
“This will be an important step in drawing visitors to the region and helping the local economy and Riverland tourism.
“Council’s pleased to be able to support the festival, and we’re all looking forward to seeing how it does.”