Northern Beaches Council has developed a draft events strategy after extensive community consultation and is inviting the community to provide further feedback.

Mayor Michael Regan said the strategy aimed to help attract, develop and support a range of diverse and exciting events across the Northern Beaches.

“We have a proud history of hosting spectacular events on the Northern Beaches. Manly played host to the first known body surfing contest in 1908 and the first World Surfboard Riding Championships in 1964.

“Today, hundreds of events are held from Manly to Palm Beach each year, entertaining more than half a million people with an array of festivals, music, shows and exhibitions.

“Our events bring people together to celebrate who we are and where we live – instilling a great sense of community pride and connection as well as stimulating the local economy.

“We know that the community, businesses and organisations have a real enthusiasm for even more events, so the strategy seeks to support local organisations to run their own vibrant events to complement those run by Council.

“From listening to more than a thousand community members during the consultation period, it is clear that there is a real appetite for a mix of large scale events and smaller, local events.

“They want events that showcase local talent, create new experiences in non-traditional locations and promote the Northern Beaches as a destination of choice.

“And the community has told us they want events to be sustainable, help boost employment and be accessible through improved transport options,” Mayor Regan said.

The new Events Strategy will have a range of actions, including investigating funding models to help support a wider range of local events - some of which could potentially transition to significant events.

To comment, visit www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au and go to have your say. Submissions close on 11 February.