'I'd absolutely be planning for it': deputy premier throws weight behind Country Music Festival

There had been concern over the viability of next year's Tamworth Country Music Festival given it attracts thousands of people from all over the country, but officials are now showing great optimism.

That attitude was added to earlier in the week after Deputy Premier John Barilaro said large-scale events are on track to go ahead in January.

"I'd absolutely be planning for it. I see no issue by then because we would have vaccination rates in excess of 80 per cent, and we'll be learning to live with COVID," he said.

"In saying that, there may be levels of restrictions in place for a long time; that could be caps on venues, the one per four square metre could apply and that will become clearer in October and November.

"But the reality is you should be planning for events in January."

The comments have come as music to the ears of organisers, who admitted they have very much been stuck in a 'watch and wait' pattern in recent months.

Tamworth Regional Council manager of country music, Barry Harley, said it's good to know they can move forward with confidence.

With the 2022 edition marking the event's 50^th anniversary, he said crowds should be expecting a festival that will live long in the memory.

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"It should be a spectacular celebration of 50 years, some of the planned events we had leading up to the festival we've had to abandon because of the COVID shutdowns.

"We'd had little promotional tours planned all throughout the eastern states that have now been nullified somewhat.

"There's confidence from the artists, confidence from the festival and all of those major artists are booked in again for what will be a sensational event."

The prospect of being one of the first major festivals to take place in Australia post-lockdowns is very enticing, and could help provide a huge boost to the local economy, he said.

One man that will be hoping to see that happen is Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray.

While Cr Murray will be retired by then, he said it would make him happy to see the city buzzing and full of tourists again, even though that seems like a world away currently as the region grinds through lockdown.

"Our staff and the whole city I think is planning for a pretty exciting 50^th birthday celebration for our festival," he said.

"And I am definitely heartened by the deputy premier's comments and I think he's right on the money."

Wests Entertainment Group chief executive Rod Laing has also expressed his joy following Mr Barilaro's statement.

He said it has been an extremely tough time for the hospitality and tourism industry, and even with light restrictions it would be wonderful to see the city largely opened up for its flagship event.

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