Jacaranda Festival seeks extra council support amid rising costs

The Grafton Jacaranda Festival will ask Clarence Valley Council for extra funding at this Thursday’s Council meeting on 16 October to help cover unplanned costs linked to this year’s traffic management requirements.

The 17-day celebration features more than 24 events and continues to deliver major cultural, economic and community benefits across the Valley. However, like many volunteer-run events, it is facing significant financial pressure as costs continue to rise.

The Festival has requested a one-off contribution of $8,900 for updated traffic management plans and an additional $10,000 to meet new road closure expenses.

Council documents show the Jacaranda Festival already receives one of the highest levels of local government support in the Valley. In June this year, Council approved $38,000 in sponsorship, including $18,000 cash and $20,000 in-kind support, through the Special Events Sponsorship program. On top of that, Council also contributes $37,440 for the Illuminate the Jacarandas event, $10,000 in tourism marketing support through the Destination Management Plan, and provides staff resources for event coordination, approvals and open space management.

Altogether, that brings the total support for 2025 to more than $84,000. For comparison, the next largest events, the Maclean Highland Gathering and Glenreagh Timber Festival, receive $8,000 and $9,500 respectively. No other event outside Grafton has ever received that level of assistance. Meanwhile, other long-standing community events have struggled to continue, several regional events across the Clarence Valley that have down sized or folded in recent years due to limited or declining support.

According to Council’s report, the increased costs stem from higher traffic management quotes following a full review of safety procedures after issues were identified during the 2024 Festival by Police, Transport for NSW and Council traffic controllers. The review found additional personnel and revised plans were needed to ensure public safety and compliance. The inclusion of Culture on the Clarence, which was not previously funded under the Jacaranda sponsorship, also added to the overall expense.

Council staff have met with the Jacaranda Committee to explore cost saving options, including relocating the Parade of Youth to the new Grafton Waterfront Precinct and reviewing which events actually need full road closures. However, organisers chose to retain the existing street format, saying it is a vital part of the Festival’s character and atmosphere.

The officer recommendation before Council is to maintain the existing level of funding with no additional contribution at this time. Any increase would either require cuts to other programs or impact the general budget.

The 2025 Grafton Jacaranda Festival runs for 17 days of purple-filled celebration, bringing visitors from across Australia to enjoy parades, markets, music, art and the vibrant bloom of Jacaranda trees that colour the Clarence Valley each spring.

While the Festival’s financial challenges are clear, the decision now rests with Council on whether the additional $18,900 should be granted. Some argue the funding is justified given the Festival’s tourism and economic benefits and the fact the extra costs relate to essential safety requirements rather than optional upgrades. Others believe Council must consider fairness across the region, as many smaller community events continue to struggle without comparable levels of support or any funding at all.

What are your thoughts? Should the Jacaranda Festival receive the extra funding from Council?