Local business was the big winner at the long weekend, as a trio of major sporting events saw an estimated $4.5 million kicked into the local economy.
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The annual June Baseball Carnival, the Country Rugby Championships, the NCHA Futurity, an AFL carnival and the dance eisteddfod had the town bursting at the seams during the Queen's Birthday weekend.
Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segboer estimated at least 10,000 visitors had hit the region at the long weekend, leaving behind an estimated $144 a day each, "according to Destination NSW figures".
"Most visitors stayed two or three nights, which means an injection of between $3.5 million and $4.5 million," he said.
"Attracting major events, such as these, is so important for the continued economic growth of the city.
"While accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes, hotels, retail, supermarkets and service stations directly benefit, there is a trickle-down happening for all businesses."
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In the wake of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) denying the council's bid to impose an events levy on local business last month, Mr Segboer would like to see the council dig into its own pocket in order to keep events, tourists, and money flowing into the region.
The tribunal deemed the community was not sufficiently aware of the rate rise or its impact; however, did point to the council's financial stability and acumen as a possible alternative to the levy.
"Having an event attraction strategy to grow that market is crucial for our economic growth, particularly through this drought," Mr Segboer said.
"We need to be at the forefront of bringing visitors, and their money, to our region over other regional areas.
"The IPART report pointed out that we have a financially robust council delivering surpluses every year - it is time TRC looked within its own budgets to become competitive within the event attraction space.
"We already have fantastic facilities - TRC must now act internally to find a way to move forward and deliver a strategy to attract more major events."
