Tourism board throws support behind Big Day Out Tweed

TWEED’S tourism body says hosting the Big Day Out would be a promotional and economic win for the shire.

Bill Tatchell is enthusiastic about the possibility of the Big Day Out coming to Tweed. Picture: John Gass

TWEED'S tourism body says hosting the Big Day Out would be a promotional and economic win for the shire.

Destination Tweed manages business and tourism promotion for the shire and they're hoping council is able to snatch the large music festival away from the Gold Coast.

Destination Tweed CEO Bill Tatchell was hopeful the festival would find a new home on the Tweed.

"The festival is fantastic," he said.

"We'd be exposing our region to 40,000 people.

"It's a real opportunity for tourism promotion."

BDO organisers Peer Group Media are due to meet with Tweed council early next week for discussions about the festival possibly moving to the area.

Mr Tatchell was enthusiastic about the benefits BDO would bring.

"It's a big event," he said.

"Not everyone may be able to take advantage but there's potential opportunities.

"Even if 10% use Tweed's facilities that's still 4000 people.

"We should delve in, it could provide opportunities in the future."

Mr Tatchell said that the event had a wide audience that would attract many different types of people.

"The demographics of the event means it will bring workers and older people, not just young people," he said.

"And professional workers will need to eat and have a beer or two.

"There's opportunity there."

Mr Tatchell thought that Tweed had several locations that would fit the bill, but was tight-lipped for now.

"We do have some amazing venues," he said.

"But it comes down to organisers, they know what they need.

It has to be a venue that has the ability to host 40,000 plus people, with decent open space and access to portable water and sewerage."

Mr Tatchell was looking forward to working through any issues with council at a later date if the BDO bid was successful.