Event organisers can use this guide to find some of the issues that may need to be addressed when planning an event. You wont believe what they can do with fireworks, including the spectacular displays off the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Our review found that two events that did not meet KPIs in previous years and received relatively low scores against DNSW's economic and community benefits criteria were recommended for repeat funding. Source: DNSW Financial Delegations, November 2019, and Audit Office research. The festival includes a large variety of events such as a fair day, film festival, various sporting events, amazing dance parties including the main dance party that attracts around 20,000 party goers. Improve the application of policies for managing staff independence risks by: 4. You can also listen in on various travel talks; get some great deals and specials and enjoy some of the freebies on offer. In 2017–18, 31 events received funding of $50,000 or less. Featuring a blue ribbon field of the world's finest bands and DJs. However, its gifts and benefits register does not record information against some key categories. The Board of Events New South Wales [3] includes John O’Neill (Managing Director and CEO, Australian Rugby Union), Professor Gavin Brown (Inaugural Director, Royal Institute of Australia), John Coates (President, Australian Olympic Committee), Richard Colless (Chairman, Sydney Swans), Johanna Griggs (Television and Sports Host), Peter Ivany (Ivany Investment Group), Geoff Parmenter (Chief Executive Officer, Events New South Wales), David Richmond (Coordinator General, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet), Belinda Seper (Chief Executive Officer, Belinda International), Charlotte Vidor (Director, Toga Hospitality), and Kim Williams (Chief Executive Officer, Foxtel). The audit found that DNSW’s processes for assessing and evaluating the major events it funds are mostly effective, but its public reporting does not provide enough transparency. After you're done exploring the activities and attractions, New South Wales boasts plenty of festivals that will entertain and delight travelers. This is because some events are sought by more than one jurisdiction, and DNSW engages in negotiations with some event organisers on the amount of funding provided. For the three we assessed as not meeting the PSC standard, the information was not included in the register or in DNSW's files. Held: February 2014 (dates to be advised). Sail Port Stephens. The approved benefit was a discounted dinner cruise for a family of four. Heritage. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the Audit Office of New South Wales. Our analysis of a sample of Board papers from March to August 2019 found that 50 per cent of event proposals were rejected because they did not meet DNSW's criteria for funding major events. For example, it could publish the number of events, amount funded and estimated outcomes by event category, and report in more detail on its performance against its major event-related KPIs. These include a Code of Conduct, a framework for managing conflicts of interest, and a Gifts and Benefits Policy. This means that members of the public are unable to see whether its activities achieve value for money. The research team also discusses the scoring results with the DNSW staff member who made the initial recommendation to proceed to scoring. We found that 78 per cent of KPIs in our sample related to the achievement of overnight visitor spend targets and 22 per cent related to strategic marketing. It divides major events into the following categories: Between 2014–15 and 2018–19, DNSW committed funding of around $360 million to major events in New South Wales. Held: 20 September to 20 October 2013 Vivid Sydney brings together large scale light installations and projections, music performances, creative ideas, stimulating discussions and debates, showcasing Sydney as a major creative hub in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is governed by a Board and reports to the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and to the Treasurer. 3. It is held in the city of Byron Bay, which rests upon the northeastern coastline of New South Wales. Welcome to Destination NSW. This is in accordance with the Minister's legislative powers and aligns with the Ministerial Code of Conduct. To manage these risks, the guidelines recommend public sector agencies consider additional controls, including: The NSW Public Service Commission's (PSC) direction on managing gifts and benefits sets 'minimum standards' for departments and agencies. Australian Celtic Festival. DNSW's event assessment process includes several risk management activities. Until 2018, DNSW attributed the full economic benefits of all major events it funded to its funding. The audit focused on DNSW’s processes for assessing and evaluating major events. The Audit Office does not accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by any person acting on or refraining from action as a result of any of this material. Tourism Ministers from state and territory governments committed to working towards achieving the 2020 Tourism target. The Auditor-General made four recommendations to DNSW, aimed at improving the transparency of its activities, improving the documentation of decisions and certain compliance matters, and streamlining its approach to assessing and evaluating events that receive smaller amounts of funding. Specifically, it does not state whether using an 'industry rate' constitutes the acceptance of a gift or benefit. However, we identified several gaps in DNSW’s application of these policies which create risks to the perceived independence of DNSW’s assessment process. We completed a detailed review of a selection of ten major events that DNSW supported which were hosted in 2017–18. Events New South Wales is owned and funded by the New South Wales Government, setting itself a budget of $85 million over three years to attract events to the state. From Sydney Harbour to the CBD, Penrith to Wollongong and regional New South Wales, over 2 million people attend or participate in 5,000 organised activities over the Australia Day period. DNSW argues this is inevitable because events are typically assessed several years before they are held. Topics: Information. Highlight of the yearly cricket calendar, is the New years test, Held: Start of January 2014 DNSW's process for assessing applications for funding from organisers of major events is mostly effective. DNSW uses three broad criteria, aligned to its legislation, to assess applications for funding: economic impact, strategic marketing impact, and community impact. Our review of ten events held in 2017–18 found that Ministerial briefings were prepared for all events, in accordance with DNSW's financial delegation policy. The amazing line-up of events also extends beyond Sydney into rural and regional NSW. The decision to fund these events was based on the Government's strategic objective of promoting Sydney as a creative hub. There was a significant increase in total funding commitments in 2015–16 and 2016–17 following a NSW Government election commitment to increase funding for major events. Australia Day is the largest annual community celebration in Australia - with New South Wales offering the most extensive program of events in the country. DNSW supports over 100 major events annually. Held: 07 February to 02 March 2014 DNSW does not publish detailed information about the events it funds or the outcomes of these events. The DNSW website provides an overview of its typical process and information about the criteria it uses to assess applications for funding. In this case, DNSW made a commercial decision to agree to provide funding without having contractual KPIs. Events New South Wales was established in 2007 by the (then) Premier of New South Wales, Morris Iemma to "market Sydney and NSW as a leading global events destination". This is documented comprehensively and was applied consistently in the sample of events we examined. The largest major projects and infrastructure conference in New South Wales, attracting over 250 delegates annually. External event risks associated with the event organiser are managed well. Welcome to Destination NSW. Held: 22 to 24 February 2014 Newcastle is home to New South Wales’ largest surfing competition, and not surprisingly, some of Australia’s best beaches. They provide significant economic benefits to host cities and regions. DNSW staff who complete evaluations have a different reporting line to staff who work directly with event organisers. Changes were expected to be announced on October 1, in time for the NRL finals which could see 40,000 spectators gathered in ANZ Stadium. DNSW's management of gifts and benefits broadly complies with the minimum standards set by the Public Service Commission, but there are some gaps in its implementation of these. This does not provide sufficient transparency to demonstrate the value for money of its activities to the public. Don't miss the best firework display in the World with Sydney Harbour as the centre stage. DNSW has recently incorporated cost-benefit analysis principles into its event assessment methodology. Image: News Corp Australia. DNSW advises that staff who make initial assessment decisions receive on the job training. It could also report in more detail on its performance against its major event-related KPIs. Assessment of applications for funding, 2.1 Initial assessment of event funding proposals, 2.2 Detailed assessment of the likely outcomes of events, 2.3 Approval of decisions to fund major events, 2.4 Managing the risks of funding major events, Destination NSW's support for major events. accept and retain; accept and dispose; refuse), We will record your email address and other information submitted, We will use the information for the purpose for which you provide it. Events New South Wales was established in 2007 by the (then) Premier of New South Wales, Morris Iemma to "market Sydney and NSW as a leading global events destination".