The Tamworth Country Music Festival is a cornerstone of our region’s cultural and economic identity, attracting thousands of visitors and generating significant revenue for local businesses. The 2025 Festival was praised for its vibrant atmosphere, increased foot traffic, and strong trading outcomes — with some businesses reporting their best results in over a decade.

However, our members also identified key areas for improvement, including:

• Better integration of privately owned tourist attractions into official marketing and event programming.
• Improved Peel Street stall configurations to protect visibility and access for permanent businesses.
• Clearer communication channels with Council during the Festival, including a dedicated hotline.
• Management of busker congestion to enhance the visitor experience and support nearby traders.
• More public amenities such as toilets and baby changing facilities.
• Easier access to security contacts for incident reporting.
• Addressing antisocial behaviour linked to specific vendors.

The Chamber also stressed the importance of business readiness, recommending the reinstatement and expansion of the ‘Festival Ready’ program to equip local operators with the tools, training, and marketing resources needed to fully capitalise on the Festival’s economic opportunities.

We remain committed to working with Tamworth Regional Council to strengthen the Festival’s operational performance, economic impact, and reputation as Australia’s leading regional music event.

Please see the Full Submission Letter below