Events funding to help business areas

Grassroots events and projects play a major part in creating vibrant and engaged communities. As a passionate supporter of community-based activities and the benefits they deliver, I’m excited about the City of Newcastle's new funding program designed to attract more people into our business precincts.

Businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups are invited to apply for a share of around $900,000 in funding for projects or events in, or surrounding, the City Centre, Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.

Up to $500,000 in funding is available for a single project or event in the Newcastle CBD, with grants of up to $15,000 available for activities in Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton. Novocastrians are renowned for their creativity, so I am eager to see the breadth of innovative and engaging ideas this program will uncover. With money on the table to bring these ideas to life, I'm sure there will be plenty of interest and we will see some amazing activations of these business precincts.

This program will provide a transparent and accountable process to distribute the funding, which is drawn from a special levy paid by commercial ratepayers in the City and parts of Hamilton, Wallsend and New Lambton.

Expressions of Interest applications for the funding are open and close on August 9, 2019.

Visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/special-business-rates to apply.