Ballarat is set become a culinary destination in May, as City of Ballarat councillors will be advised to give the 2018 Plate Up Ballarat event a $25,000 tourism grant.
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The one-year tourism grant application will be considered at an ordinary City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday night.
Council officers have recommended the event receive $25,000 for marketing activities, venue hire and equipment, which is the maximum funding amount possible for a tourism event grant.
The event, scheduled to begin on May 1, includes a degustation event, high tea events and a black tie ball.
Council officers said in a report to be tabled at this week’s meeting that the grant submission “demonstrated a very strong business case” for funding, with the anticipated economic impact expected to be more than $860,000.
Thirty-six businesses have already signed up to participate in the month-long event.
Venues will also be invited to enter a pie competition using local ingredients, which will run throughout the festival. Apprentice chefs from Federation University TAFE will also be given the opportunity to test out their culinary skills and have a pie judged in the competition.
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Last year’s Plate Up Ballarat event had more than 25,000 attendees.
Councillors at this Wednesday’s council meeting will be asked to consider two other tourism grant applications, both highlighting Ballarat’s need for speed.
The Ballarat Triathlon Club’s annual Swim to the Rings event applied for a grant of $22,000 for marketing and merchandise, but council officers recommended a grant of only $3000.
Taking place on March 25, Swim to the Rings will be held along the Lake Wendouree Rowing course, with an expected attendance of 2500 people and a predicted economic impact of $127,500.
In a submitted report, council officers noted it was likely the event wouldn’t run as proposed with no grant funding.
Another tourism grant application which will be considered by council on Wednesday is for the 2018 Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) Eureka Rally planned for March 3-4.
Officers from City of Ballarat recommended a $7,500 grant for the event, following a funding request from CAMS for $25,000.
For its second year, the event planned to create a special viewing stage in Victoria Park, with rally cars contesting short sprints around a 3.6 kilometre course.
