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Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 January 2023 14:29

Published: Wednesday, 25 January 2023 14:29

Toowoomba Regional Council this month (January 17) beefed up the Region’s autumn events calendar by endorsing a sponsorship package for the 2023 Meatstock Toowoomba event.

Toowoomba Region Mayor and Economic Development Committee chair Cr Paul Antonio said Council would allocate $15,000 to help organisers stage this year’s Meatstock Toowoomba at the Toowoomba Showgrounds on April 14 and 15.

He said Council supported retaining the popular event in the Region and would consider future sponsorship requests in line with Budget planning.

Mayor Antonio said Council would continue its sponsorship of the barbecue and music festival following its support for last year’s inaugural Queensland event at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

“Last year’s event drew more than 12,900 attendees, most of whom were from outside the Region,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Event organisers calculated the two-day festival saw more than $3.3 million spent in the Region, with 15,900 visitor nights generated by the festival.

“The beef industry, especially fattening cattle at expansive feedlot operations across southern Queensland, is a major contributor to our Region’s economy.

“Meatstock organisers are confident this strong producer base, coupled with interest from consumers, will draw crowds of up to 15,000 for this year’s event.

“Our sponsorship package will help the organisers tempt the taste buds of visitors and residents to attend Australia’s largest barbecue and music festival, featuring barbecue and butchering competitions, trade expos and entertainment. Similar events are staged in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland in New Zealand.

“Our Region is known across Australia for our month-long Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, which attracted more than 364,000 people in September 2022.

“Meatstock will ensure more visitors can experience our Region’s spectacular autumn colour.

“There’s no better place to feast on Australia’s finest beef dishes and other protein, with a range of leading chefs on hand to display their culinary secrets.

“There are opportunities to run complementary beef industry events highlighting the sector and leading producers.

“Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), under its Food Leaders’ Australia banner, is well placed to organise possible promotions.”