The Toowoomba Region is set to have a tourism boost as approximately 30,000 visitors from across Queensland and interstate are expected to attend an event at the Jondaryan Woolshed later this year.
Yesterday (18 February), TRC endorsed a sponsorship request from Steaming Under the Southern Cross Inc. (SUSCI) to host the 19th National Historical Machinery Association (NHMA) National Rally featuring the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event in late August.
The NHMA National Rally, held from Saturday 23 August to Monday 25 August, is a celebration of historical steam machinery and is recognised as the largest event of its type in Australia, and potentially in the Southern Hemisphere. The second part to the two-part machinery celebration, is the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event which will be held for six days, finishing on Sunday 31 August. The combined nine-day event offers a unique opportunity to improve regional tourism, economic growth and community wellbeing for the Toowoomba Region.
Sponsorship of this event aligns with TRC's regional development objectives, particularly in boosting tourism and generating economic benefits for regional communities.
Based on event impact summary modelling, the national event is estimated to inject $1.54M into the local economy, with accommodation and food businesses most likely to profit from the thousands of machinery enthusiasts, exhibitors and families expected to stay in the Jondaryan and surrounding areas.
Early bird general admission ticket sales have shown strong trends in eventgoers purchasing multi day passes and as a result more than a thousand people are expected to camp on site each night and motel accommodation in Oakey has already been booked out.
The sponsorship agreement includes TRC providing a financial contribution of $40,000 to SUSCI to put towards the transportation costs of moving the heritage steam equipment to and from the event, which is likely to cost more than $100,000.
Portfolio and spokesperson for Planning and Development Cr Edwina Farquhar said although council was contributing a fair sum of money towards the event, the potential financial reward for the local economy was 38 times the original investment. Additionally, the event will attract an abundance of visitors to the TRC owned Jondaryan Woolshed, as it is the first major event held there in a long time.
Cr Farquhar also said the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event could not come at a better time of year.
"This two-part event will be held right before the Carnival of Flowers and will extend our usual busy tourism period from four weeks to at least six weeks, which is a huge win for our Region," said Cr Farquhar.
The recently endorsed sponsorship also includes a profit-share agreement which states Council's financial contribution of $40,000 will be returned in the 2025/2026 financial year if the event generates a surplus. These funds will then be reinvested into the Friends of Jondaryan Woolshed Inc to support future restoration works.
Although the NHMA National Rally started in 1987 and is held biennially, this year's celebration will be the third time the event has ever been held in Queensland.
"I'm excited to see what legacy opportunities come as a result from this event. It is exciting to think what possible doors this will open for our Region in the future," said Cr Farquhar.
In early 2024, SUSCI was created as a new incorporated entity from partnering local clubs Steaming on the Downs Inc. (SOTD), Toowoomba and District Old Machinery Society (TADOMS), and the Queensland Steam and Vintage Machinery Society (QSVMS) tasked with the responsibility of managing and delivering the Rally and Steaming Under the Southern Cross event.
Photo caption: An aerial photograph of the Jondaryan Woolshed, the location for the National Historical Machinery Association (NHMA) National Rally featuring the Steaming Under the Southern Cross event.
