DOUGLAS SHIRE COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE
A trio of signature events which will tip millions of dollars into the local economy has received funding commitment from Douglas Shire Council until 2024.
Council has endorsed three-year Resource and Performance Agreements for the Reef-to-Reef and Triple-R Mountain bike event, Wonderland Spiegeltent and the Mossman Show.
Across the three events, Council’s investment totals $225,000, with a further $120,000 worth of in-kind support over three years.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said each event provided significant economic and social benefits in their own unique way.
“We have no hesitation in backing these fantastic events which add so much value to our local community and hold us in good stead for increased economic activity in the next three years,” he said.
“Douglas Shire is immensely proud to host a world-class mountain biking event in the Reef-to-Reef and continue support for the wild entertainment delivered by the Wonderland Spiegeltent which has been a headline act of Port Douglas Carnivale since 2016.”
“Each year, these events are expected to attract thousands of people into our region and bring an almost $2 million of economic activity.”
“We are also thrilled to be re-affirming our support for the Mossman Show, which has been celebrating and showcasing our community for the past 60 years.”
Council and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) have identified increasing activity in the event space as a key economic driver for the region moving forward.
Below is breakdown of the events and funding:
Reef To Reef & Triple-R
Council’s commitment: $20,000 + $10,000 in kind per year.
Economic Benefit: + $1 Million
Date: Thursday 18 August 2022 to Sunday 21 August 2022
The Reef to Reef and Triple-R attracts over 1,000 participants and 2,000 visitors for the event that finishes in Port Douglas.
The event utilises the Bump Track, a section of the Wangetti Trail, and has the potential to promote the trail as a tourism experience for mountain bikers to enjoy year-round.
Each day’s stage has its own unique terrain and character to keep things interesting, with a mix of fast flowing single trail, farm track, groomed downhill trails and fire trails – many through private land that can only be ridden while racing the Reef to Reef.
Council has a program that focuses on activating mountain biking trails across the shire, including the Black Mountain, Twin bridges and Bump track legs of the Reef to Reef / Triple R event.
Wonderland Spiegeltent
Council’s commitment: $55,000 + $10,000 in kind per year.
Economic Benefit: + $800,000
Date: May 2022 (During Port Douglas Carnivale)
Wonderland Entertainment and Leisure (WEL) have been providing the Wonderland Spiegeltent as part of the Port Douglas Carnivale Festival since 2016.
This addition to the festival has been well received by those attending Carnivale with over 4,500 people attending shows in 2021. The Spiegel tent ran four different shows over ten days and provided a range of entertainment options, as well as creating a festival hub that acted as an information provider for the Carnivale.
The Spiegeltent delivers a high-quality attraction in the week leading up to, and during the Carnivale festival and has become an expected and integral part of the event.
Mossman Show
Council’s commitment: $20,000 in kind per year.
Social Benefit: About 7500 people and 112 sole traders attended in 2021. The show pavilions received 1131 entries across all categories.
Date: July 2022
The Mossman and District Show has been a feature of the community Events Calendar in the Douglas Shire for more than 60 years. It has become an institution, showcasing the community’s achievements and encouraging opportunities for community participation and development.
