A NEW event will grow the region’s gardening community and tourism industry while filling the void left in the wake of the withered Gardenfest event. The Queensland Autumn Gardening Show will act as a springboard for gardeners in the lead up to the award winning Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and Chronicle Home Garden Competition from next year.
With the inaugural event planned for April next year, the program will include product showcases, demonstrations, displays and presentations designed to lead into the city’s premier events and secure Toowoomba’s reputation as the Garden City. It comes as the Toowoomba Regional Council yesterday confirmed Gardenfest had been cancelled due to rising costs and drastic fall in participation rates.
“The Queensland Autumn Gardening Show is the event that we believe we need to take Toowoomba tourism into the next couple of decades,” Australian Events managing director Bob Carroll said.
“Any new event needs a new look, a fresh name and some good commercial thinking to make sure it does establish itself. “People can plan from year to year that this is going to happen.”
Mr Carroll said the success of the expanding Nambour gardening festival suggested a city renowned for its gardens could secure a market share at a previously untapped time. “Toowoomba has four specific seasons and is one of the few areas in Queensland which does,” he said. “Autumn is a unique time and for activities to happen and it will have good results for the economy and spring carnival.” The Queensland Autumn Gardening Show is privately funded, relieving council of the promotional costs.
With major sponsors The Chronicle, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprises, Australian Events and WIN News, Mr Carroll said promotion through the various networks would deliver a tourism and economic boost to complement the popular Carnival of Flowers. Council’s environment and community services general manager Nick Hauser yesterday cited rising costs and falling interest and participation rates in the now-defunct Gardenfest as why the event had been cancelled.
Although throwing support behind three other events, Mr Hauser said Gardenfest had been deemed not viable. “Gardenfest was a rallying point for the horticultural industry in its heyday but it has struggled to maintain its relevance in recent times,” he said. “I understand a number of residents will be sad to see this event discontinued. However, the decision in the end was a simple case of economics.
“Council believes it can provide the community, and visitors, opportunities to participate in a broader range of experiences that enliven the life of the city.”
Mr Hauser said council would support the growing Gardens of the Downs event which replaced the terminated Open Gardens Australia movement, as well as the Toowoomba Camellia and Winter Flower Show and the newly organised gardener’s workshops coordinated by The Chronicle. The first workshop was run earlier this month, and a second event is being planned for later this year.
“Council believes the viability of community events should not hinge entirely on funding or support from council,” Mr Hauser said. “Council has a responsibility to spend ratepayers’ funds wisely and we believe a better investment would be to work with community groups to discuss ways to supplement their plans to ensure events have the chance to flourish.” The Queensland Autumn Gardening Show will be held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds from April 28-30 next year.
Entry will be $10 for visitors. Visit the event website and join the newsletter club to stay updated with event information…gardeningshow.com.au
Article published by The Chronicle.