On Tuesday, August 2 Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead took to the floor of NSW Parliament in Sydney to “implore the Premier and Minister to give this grant consideration”.

The $20,000 grant application is half the cost of a $40,000 marquee which would be set up on the Manning River during TasteFest in January 2017. The all-day food festival at Queen Elizabeth Park is a collaboration between the Taree CIVIC heART project and Taree Lions Club.

Mr Bromhead described the Manning Valley as “a jewel in this State’s crown” as he spoke about TasteFest.

“Exhibitors will include local food producers and brewers. Great local food and great local wine will be available,” Mr Bromhead said.

“So we have the venue — the bank of the mighty Manning River — and we have an enthusiastic organising committee in the Lions Club of Taree.

“The marquee has to be semi-permanent because when the mighty Manning River floods nothing can stand in its way. So having a structure that has anchor points in the ground but which can be removed quickly is essential.

“A marquee is important because when an event is held — particularly an outdoors event such as this — you can have the greatest and most enthusiastic committee in the world and great produce, wine and crowds, but the one thing you cannot control is the weather. This marquee would solve that problem and ensure the success of all such events.

“As I have said before, the Manning Valley has a number of issues. Event-led tourism generates jobs; it brings people into the community — people who stay overnight and spend money on accommodation, at restaurants and food outlets and shops. Event-led tourism is most important, particularly to a city like Taree, and I commend the Lions Club of Taree for this proposal. I implore the Premier and the Minister to give this grant serious consideration.”