A five-year plan to increase the Australian Celtic Festival’s benefits for local businesses, residents and the wider Glen Innes Severn region is now open for community feedback.
Glen Innes Severn Council endorsed the Draft Australian Celtic Festival Strategic Plan 2026–2030 for public exhibition at its Ordinary Meeting on 26 August 2026.
The Draft Plan proposes developing the Festival as a broader cultural tourism experience, connecting the Australian Standing Stones with the Glen Innes CBD, surrounding villages, local businesses and attractions across the Highlands.
Key community benefits proposed in the Draft Plan include:
- creating more opportunities for local businesses, suppliers, performers, schools and community groups to participate
- encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend across local accommodation, hospitality, retail and visitor experiences
- extending Festival activity into the Glen Innes CBD and, where practical, surrounding villages
- supporting volunteer recruitment, training, recognition and succession
- improving accessibility, transport, amenities, wayfinding and movement around the Festival
- protecting the Festival’s cultural authenticity and strengthening local pride
- increasing local procurement where Council’s value-for-money, safety and procurement requirements can be met.
Mayor Margot Davis said the Festival’s success should deliver meaningful and measurable benefits for the wider community.
“The Australian Celtic Festival is one of Glen Innes Severn’s most treasured and distinctive events.
It supports local businesses and accommodation providers, creates opportunities for performers, traders, volunteers and community groups, and showcases the Glen Innes Highlands to visitors from across Australia and beyond,” Cr Davis said.
“As we plan for the next five years, we also need to be clear about the resources required, how progress will be measured and how Council and the community will be kept informed.
That is why the Draft Plan will return to Council following public exhibition, with further detail on accountability, financial sustainability, performance measures and implementation reporting.”
In 2026, the Festival generated an estimated $1.23 million in direct visitor expenditure and $1.79 million in total economic output for the Glen Innes Severn economy.
The Draft Plan aims to build on this contribution while maintaining community accessibility and strengthening financial sustainability and accountability.
Council staff will also be available at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre, 152 Church Street, from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday, 9 September and Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Community members are welcome to drop in, ask questions and share their feedback. No appointment is needed.
The Draft Plan is on public exhibition from today until Monday, 28 September 2026.
For more information or to have your say, visit: https://haveyoursay.gisc.nsw.gov.au/draft-australian-celtic-festival-strategic-plan-2026-2030
Media Release: Glen Innes Severn Council
