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THE local economy could be out of pocket to the tune of more than $50 million should Tamworth Regional Council opt to follow expert advice and cancel next year’s country music festival. Festival organisers will put forward a recommendation at next week’s council meeting calling for councillors to can the event amid COVID-19 public health concerns. Local businesses will feel the full force and be hit hardest by the decision because the event usually attracts about 50,000 visitors to the region. Read Also: “During the festival, we employ an additional 120 staff members, mostly casuals and it would be fair to say most of them are young university students coming back to Tamworth,” Wests Entertainment Group chief executive officer Rod Laing said. “Out of our business, January is by far our biggest month of the year and our profits are generally double to any comparison to the previous month. “To our suppliers, our sponsors and our staff members it has a major effect on us and our business.” The Pub Group’s Craig Power said cancelling the festival was “a sad decision but it is the right decision”. “Basically we can’t have festivals in our state, we have to think about people’s health and the mental health of entertainers because they’re the guys who are really missing out at this stage,” Mr Power said. “This is my 25th festival and we put on 200 plus gigs every January for the 10 days, but as I say it is the right decision. “The festival is not going ahead because we would do more damage than good if it went ahead.” Mr Laing said COVID-19 restrictions had left businesses under a cloud of uncertainty. “The current restrictions at Wests, which has a capacity of 3000 people, is down to 300, so clearly we were not going to be able to be a player at this year’s festival like we have been in past years,” he said. “We would be severely affected and having to handle crowds lining up outside venues such as Diggers would have created many problems for us as well.” Mr Power said while his business had suffered during the COVID-19 lockdown, the support of the community had helped it survive. “So far, 99 per cent of people have been terrific, the compliance is large, our numbers are limited and it has been difficult,” he said. “However, we have got great staff and a really great community that is supporting these rules.” Conversations have begun regarding taking the festival online, similar to this year’s Hats off to Country event. Have your say, send a letter to the editor. The Leader understands representatives from several major venues across the region will meet on Thursday to discuss their options for next January. Mr Laing said he was confident some virtual events could be run during January but ruled out using Scully Park as an option for an outdoor event. “Music makes you feel good and people want to enjoy themselves, but it would be difficult for us to be compliant while doing an outdoor event like that, and the potential of a fine would be devastating,” he said. “What we wouldn’t want to see is our clubs close again for another two months out of that, which would be devastating for our business. “However, we will look at what options we can do and I think 2022 will be a cracker as the 50th anniversary of the festival and I think you will see some new events pop up around the city as well.” Support the local news that keeps you informed – subscribe today.

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THE local economy could be out of pocket to the tune of more than $50 million should Tamworth Regional Council opt to follow expert advice and cancel next year’s country music festival.

Festival organisers will put forward a recommendation at next week’s council meeting calling for councillors to can the event amid COVID-19 public health concerns.

Local businesses will feel the full force and be hit hardest by the decision because the event usually attracts about 50,000 visitors to the region.

“During the festival, we employ an additional 120 staff members, mostly casuals and it would be fair to say most of them are young university students coming back to Tamworth,” Wests Entertainment Group chief executive officer Rod Laing said.

“Out of our business, January is by far our biggest month of the year and our profits are generally double to any comparison to the previous month.

“To our suppliers, our sponsors and our staff members it has a major effect on us and our business.”

The Pub Group’s Craig Power said cancelling the festival was “a sad decision but it is the right decision”.

“Basically we can’t have festivals in our state, we have to think about people’s health and the mental health of entertainers because they’re the guys who are really missing out at this stage,” Mr Power said.

“This is my 25th festival and we put on 200 plus gigs every January for the 10 days, but as I say it is the right decision.

“The festival is not going ahead because we would do more damage than good if it went ahead.”

Mr Laing said COVID-19 restrictions had left businesses under a cloud of uncertainty.

“The current restrictions at Wests, which has a capacity of 3000 people, is down to 300, so clearly we were not going to be able to be a player at this year’s festival like we have been in past years,” he said.

“We would be severely affected and having to handle crowds lining up outside venues such as Diggers would have created many problems for us as well.”

Mr Power said while his business had suffered during the COVID-19 lockdown, the support of the community had helped it survive.

“So far, 99 per cent of people have been terrific, the compliance is large, our numbers are limited and it has been difficult,” he said.

“However, we have got great staff and a really great community that is supporting these rules.”

Conversations have begun regarding taking the festival online, similar to this year’s Hats off to Country event.

The Leader understands representatives from several major venues across the region will meet on Thursday to discuss their options for next January.

Mr Laing said he was confident some virtual events could be run during January but ruled out using Scully Park as an option for an outdoor event.

“Music makes you feel good and people want to enjoy themselves, but it would be difficult for us to be compliant while doing an outdoor event like that, and the potential of a fine would be devastating,” he said.

“What we wouldn’t want to see is our clubs close again for another two months out of that, which would be devastating for our business.

“However, we will look at what options we can do and I think 2022 will be a cracker as the 50th anniversary of the festival and I think you will see some new events pop up around the city as well.”