Council cancels Gardenfest amid cost blow-outs

COST blow-outs and lack of community interest has cancelled the iconic Gardenfest event for the second time.

Gardenfest is one of Toowoomba's iconic events. Picture: Kevin Farmer

COST blow-outs and lack of community interest has cancelled the iconic Gardenfest event for the second time.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has confirmed this year's Gardenfest will not go ahead, with a range of other programs and events coming online in its place.

In confirming the long-speculated news, council's Environment and Community Services general manager Nick Hauser said increasing costs, falling participation rates and higher community expectations had led to the event's cancellation.

"Gardenfest was a rallying point for the horticultural industry in its heyday, but it has struggled to maintain its relevance in recent times," Mr Hauser 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.

"Council is already moving to increase investment in other events with growth potential. We want to help others grow their events as opposed to spending more ratepayers' money on supporting Gardenfest."

Gardenfest 2015

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Mr Hauser said Council had already decided to support three other events.

Gardenfest was given a second chance four years ago when council revived the event in 2012.

Industry interest had waned in the lead up to 2012 at which point council said the skyrocketing costs and need for full-time event planners forced the unpopular decision.

The mandate that the revitalised event draw in bigger crowds was never met, Mr Hauser said, which led to today's announcement.

"Four years later we are back at the same juncture with an event needing even more money injected into it in an attempt to keep it relevant to people's expectations," Mr Hauser said.

"There are now many more opportunities to buy gardening and landscaping products than when Gardenfest first started.
"The rise and rise of mega hardware stores and online shopping has also dramatically changed the way people research and make their purchases.

"Gardenfest has simply been unable to reinvent itself to maintain relevance.

"Council has two options: to invest significantly in reshaping this event again or invest in other smaller community events which are trying to find their niche.

"Council believes the viability of community events should not hinge entirely on funding or support from council.

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.

"This decision has not been made lightly, but we believe we can deliver to the community a wider choice of events for the same level of support."

Originally published as Council cancels Gardenfest amid cost blow-outs