Glen Innes Highlands Glen Innes Highlands

Tourism & Events News

This month we bring you the latest updates on tourism projects, events and business opportunities relevant to local businesses in the tourism industry.

With the latest easing of restrictions from NSW Health regarding QR codes, vaccination status and masks, we should start to see an increase in visitors to our local businesses and accommodation providers.

Autumn in Glen Innes Highlands is also a busy time on our events calendar and it is such a beautiful time of year as the autumnal colours begin to reveal themselves through our parks, tree-lined streets and spectacular vistas. Traditionally, this unique feature of the New England area brings thousands of people every year and we hope we see the return of visitors and photographers ready to capture those seasonal moments of change in our town and villages.

Ronnie Bombell - Tourism and Events Officer

Glen Innes Severn Council

March 18, 2022

March Tourism & Events News

This month we bring you the latest updates on tourism projects, events and business opportunities relevant to local businesses in the tourism industry.

With the latest easing of restrictions from NSW Health regarding QR codes, vaccination status and masks, we should start to see an increase in visitors to our local businesses and accommodation providers.

Autumn in Glen Innes Highlands is also a busy time on our events calendar and it is such a beautiful time of year as the autumnal colours begin to reveal themselves through our parks, tree-lined streets and spectacular vistas. Traditionally, this unique feature of the New England area brings thousands of people every year and we hope we see the return of visitors and photographers ready to capture those seasonal moments of change in our town and villages.

Ronnie Bombell - Tourism and Events Officer

Glen Innes Severn Council

Local Tourism Updates

The award was presented for maintaining the heritage of the local community since 1968 through the Land of the Beardies History House Museum & Research Centre. Over the past three years, the Society and its 255 members have been repairing and refurbishing buildings, storage facilities and display areas.

Congratulations also to award finalist, Deepwater Land Manager Hall Committee of Glen Innes, for its management of the Deepwater School of Arts Hall.

History House Receives Award

Congratulations to Glen Innes & District Historical Society, the winner of this year's Department of Planning and Environment Crown Land Manager Excellence Award.

'Our Country - The Highlands'

A new public artwork, funded by Glen Innes Severn Council, has been installed in Veness Park. The artwork 'Our Country - The Highlands' was designed by local artists, Lloyd Hornsby and Sarah Fletcher, who managed the production and installation in conjunction with Kent Engineering.

The artwork features four panels depicting the storylines that symbolise the Glen Innes community.

Once complete, the New England Rail Trail will be a 103km long x 2.5m wide path sitting in the rail corridor between Armidale and Glen Innes. This project is in partnership with Armidale Regional Council, the community, and the New England Rail Trail Group. Follow the New England Rail Trail Facebook page for project updates.

New England Rail Trail

This project has been part-funded with Glen Innes Severn Council's successful application under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, for the construction of the Glen Innes to Ben Lomond section. Armidale Regional Council has also received funding under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program for the construction of the Ben Lomond to Black Mountain section.

Find out more

Centennial Parklands Skywalk

$2m funding was secured under the NSW Public Legacy Program for this exciting recreational local and visitor experience overlooking the Glen Innes Highlands' geological aspects to the east, west and south. Due for completion in 2023, the Skywalk will include signage, audio and Augmented Reality to tell the stories of our landscape, flora, fauna and culture.

Local Business Opportunities & Industry Updates

COVID-19 restrictions are easing - stay up to date with the changes regarding density limits, masks, QR check-ins and event rules.

Learn more

Support Package to Boost Outdoor Dining & Events

If you are a small or medium food and beverage business wanting to create or expand your outdoor dining area, you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $5,000 under the NSW Government’s Alfresco Restart rebate. The rebate is available to the first 5,000 eligible small or medium food and beverage businesses that register.

The NSW Government is also offering local councils funding to promote outdoor events and revive street spaces, as well as easing planning rules to make it easier for businesses to get permission to set up outdoor dining spaces.

Learn more

March Small Business Month

NSW Small Business Month is an opportunity to support and strengthen small business across the state, while recognising their resilience and valuable contributions to our local communities. The 2022 theme is ‘Rebuild – Recharge – Renew’. In this year’s program, you’ll learn new skills and new ideas to help you navigate the road ahead and get the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other small business owners and operators.

Learn more

Free RSA Courses to Help Ease Staff Shortages

The NSW Government will fund 5,000 fee-free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) courses to support new workers to enter the hospitality industry and help ease the staffing pressure on licensed hospitality venues.

Learn more

Hear from Local Business Women this International Women's Day

Come along to the Glen Innes Severn Public Library from 6 - 8pm on Friday 11 March to celebrate International Women's Day 2022. Listen to inspiring local speakers, Kelly Foran (CEO of Friendly Faces Helping Hands Foundation), Zaylie and Nicole Hyde (Sweetie Pie's Bake Shop) and Cassandra Hill (Mr & Mrs Hill Lighting), as they share their stories. Enjoy light refreshment and entertainment on the night. Book online now. For more information contact 02 6730 2600 or 02 6730 2500.

Register Your Business for Stay NSW Vouchers

Stay NSW Vouchers will help support accommodation providers in NSW impacted by COVID-19. Once approved, you’ll be able to accept and redeem the vouchers using the Service NSW for Business app. Eligible businesses can apply now.

Businesses registered for Stay NSW Vouchers will also be able to accept Parents NSW Vouchers.

New Support Payments for SMEs Hit Hard by Omicron

The NSW Government will cover up to 20% of a small or medium enterprise's weekly payroll as part of its 2022 Small Business Support Program to help those who have suffered a large cut to turnover during the Omicron wave. In addition, the existing Small Business Fees & Charges Rebate will be increased by 50% from the current $2,000 limit to $3,000 and employing businesses will be able to use the rebate to obtain Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

Regional Business Event Development Fund Extended

The NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund is designed to help stakeholders create, attract and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives. Applications submitted prior to midnight, Sunday 6 March 2022, will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis until the funds have been expended.

Learn more

Airbnb and Australian Regional Tourism Renew Partnership to Help Grow Agritourism

Airbnb and Australian Regional Tourism (ART) have extended their partnership with the aim of enhancing and growing agritourism within regional Australia. It comes as farmers around the country look at new ways to diversify their operations and encourage visitors to new places.

Learn more

Local Event Updates

We encourage you to share and promote local events with your audiences across social media. Our events attract visitors (potential new customers for you) from all over. Here's some important updates on upcoming events.

Minerama Fossicking, Gem & Jewellery Show

Minerama will be held at the Glen Innes Showgrounds Friday 11 - Sunday 13 March. With activities including indoor and outdoor traders, food stalls, fossicking, demonstrations, Show & Shine and more.

Everyone is invited to come along to share food and watch dancing and singing from many various cultures of the world. Cultural dress is encouraged and welcomed. For more information contact Tony or Ellen on 02 6730 2500 or email em[email protected] or [email protected].

Harmony Day at Glen Innes Town Hall

This special event taking place from 10am - 2pm, Monday 21 March, is supported by Glen Innes Severn Council and Glenrac to celebrate the diverse cultures in Glen Innes Highlands.

Australian Celtic Festival 30th Anniversary Event

We're excited to be celebrating 30 years of the Australian Celtic Festival, taking place Thursday 28 April - Sunday 1 May. The event program can be viewed online and tickets are on sale now, with limited Early Bird tickets available.

Discounted tickets for Glen Innes residents and visiting friends & relatives are available at the Visitor Information Centre in person or via the phone.

Please take a moment to view our sponsorship prospectus and find the level of sponsorship that's right for you.

Accommodation vacancies during the festival? Let the Visitor Information Centre know so our team can direct enquiries your way.

Benefit from ACF Event Sponsorship

Leverage the marketing and promotion of our festival to promote your business, products or services by becoming an event sponsor. This is a great way to showcase your support to the thousands of visitors the event brings to town each year.

Creative Arts Recovery Workshop

Arts North West is holding a free 3-day intensive Creative Arts Recovery Workshop over Wednesday 11 - Friday 13 May at Arts North West in Glen Innes. This free event is being delivered for people working in or supporting the arts, creative, and cultural industries and businesses across the Glen Innes Severn LGA.

Creativity can be a major platform of support as we face and go through trauma. This workshop is being facilitated due to the many impacts endured by our community in the last few years. Attendees must first register to attend.

Register now

Goodnessgravel, an Australian bike event company, in partnership with the Council, is excited to be hosting 2 x one-day gravel bike riding events on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10.

Saturday, April 9: 100km ride with over 1,300m of climb or 65km ride through the gravel roads to the east of Glen Innes.

Sunday, April 10: 99km ride or 55km ride incorporating great climbs, descents and some unique private roads through farming properties.

For more info, including online booking, visit goodnessgravel.com.

It's Time to Tap into the Cycle Tourism Market

Our first-ever Gravel Grinding event is happening! This exciting new event will help us tap into the cycle tourism market, showcasing our gravel roads and stunning scenery and preparing for the impending Rail Trail development in future years.

Leverage Local Marketing and Promotion

Promote Local Cycle Tourism

Our friends from twowheeltours & goodnessgravel designed and reviewed 6 gravel grinding courses around Glen Innes Highlands. With the rising popularity of cycle tourism in our region, this content is perfect to share with your customers ahead of their visit. Visit our dedicated webpage for all the information.

The Glen Innes Highlands YouTube Channel features a series of videos (including Gravel Grind Adventure videos) that you can share across your social media channels to attract cyclists.

These videos were produced in partnership with goodnessgravel, which is hosting its first gravel fondo event here in April. This event will attract a new group of visitors to our region.

YouTube