MORE festivals and events will be held in Lake Macquarie under a dedicated five-year plan being proposed by the council.
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Lake Macquarie City Council has released its draft Event and Festival Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2024 for community feedback.
Some of the key actions include providing more than $400,000 in funding towards targeted annual events, delivering a minimum of 20 signature or iconic events, developing a corporate conference prospectus and hosting an international event with wide economic benefit.
One of the events in the mix for possible backing in 2019-20 is a new music festival at Morisset Showground, which the council is about to take management of from Crown Lands.
Another proposed action is to investigate the feasibility of a seasonal cinema festival.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said the new plan would provide a framework to present a diverse range of entertaining, vibrant and engaging events and cultural activities for the community.
"We are committed to providing opportunities for everyone - regardless of age or background - to experience and participate in our events and festivals," she said.
The council's manager of arts, culture and tourism, Jacqui Hemsley, said the plan is the first step in realising the future direction and growth of potential events and festivals in the city.
"This draft plan provides a foundation for more great events in Lake Macquarie over the next five years," she said.
"It covers everything from small events that enable active participation in community life to large outdoor festivals that attract visitors from across NSW and beyond."
The council already coordinates five major events each year: Lake Macquarie Festival, Carols by Candlelight, Lake Mac Big Weekend, Living Smart Festival and Float Your Boat. The five events attract more than 110,000 people combined.
Other events the council partners with include the Lake Mac City Pro Junior, Music in the Podium, Rathmines Catalina Festival, NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, Port to Port, Loop the Lake, Lake Macquarie Running Festival, Fernleigh 15, Lakefest and the Hunter Track Classic.
Since 2015, the council has provided more than $252,000 in funding to support 34 business chamber events in Warners Bay, Toronto, Swansea and Belmont.
Community feedback can be provided until Saturday, June 1.