And another Toodyay festival bites the dust..

In response to Herald questions the shire confirmed that the proposed events had not been costed nor had an officer’s report been done concerning the costs and outcomes of the 2024 food festival.

The local authority does not intend to hold an event on the weekend of Avon Descent 2025.

Shire documents provided at the December council meeting show the 2022 and 2023 festivals received Lotterywest funding of $24,200 and $30,370 respectively.

Meaning the total spend for the shire in 2022 was $44,995 and $57,070 in 2023 – the latter year was the 50th anniversary of the Avon Descent.

The December officer’s report does show a “total cost of festival” of $62,752 as well as additional cost items such as the wages of staff working event day.

The report does not say whether grant funding was received for the 2024 event.
Festival surveys in 2021 and 2023 of attendees’ overall satisfaction with the event show an increase in the excellent rating from 30 per cent to 70 per cent.

The shire intends to involve local businesses in the planning of the new events and expects this step will “add to the success of these smaller events”.

The Herald sought feedback from some local businesses and groups including Jason Marion from the Toodyay Bakery who said, “Feel a bit torn as I enjoyed going down to the festival to try the food and I can understand the locals being upset as it brings in a bit of variety.

Our business itself doesn’t make any extra on the day which is fine as it gives us a bit of a rest during the busy season”.

A spokesperson from the Toodyay Miniature Railway said the festival was one of their “biggest days in the year” and were unaware it had been cut.

Café Clair’s, Rory Davin was disappointed with the cancellation.

In a 2024 shire survey, seven out of nine local businesses said the food festival was beneficial to their business.

One survey respondent said the festival was their “best selling event of the year, better than the Moondyne Festival”.

The survey results, which do not identify business type, are available on the shire’s website as an attachment to the officer’s report.

The December meeting also saw council agree to cease the annual $10,000 sponsorship of the Northam and Avon Descent Association (NADA).

On the basis that the sponsorship was of no direct benefit to the shire and that the funds “can be used on the districts own events” to the benefit of local businesses and the community.

NADA had requested the council delay the sponsorship review until consultation with the board had occurred.

The Herald understands that a response to that request was not received.

The association released a statement on February 2, “Although no official notification of funding withdrawal has been received from the Shire of Toodyay, we are aware of and greatly disappointed by the Shire of Toodyay’s decision to discontinue their long-running sponsorship of the Avon Descent”.

This will be the first time that the whitewater event has run without Toodyay Shire involvement and without the food festival since 2005.

The Chairperson of NADA, Greg Kaeding said that notwithstanding the funding cut “nothing will stop us from going ahead with the event”.

He added that the association will look to explore potential opportunities and partnerships that align with the strategic vision of the Shire of Toodyay.

The Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman is disappointed to hear that the Shire of Toodyay has decided to cancel the food festival and said it is a popular tourism and community event.

Adding, “The Cook Government, through Lotterywest, supports the four community festivals that take place at Northam, Toodyay, Swan and Bayswater through a $228,300 grant.

“I have organised a workshop with key stakeholders to discuss the sustainability of the Avon Descent, which will take place in the coming months.

I am hopeful that we will be able to work together to find a way forward that will ensure the future of this iconic and much-loved event.”

The 2025 Avon Descent will be held on the weekend of August 9 – 10, the Toodyay International Food Festival will not.