IN WHAT’S been described as a major blow to tourism in the Hawkesbury, the International Sand Sculpting Competition will now be held in the Hills district.
Held in the Hawkesbury since 2011, the competition — which featured the largest sand sculpting exhibitions in the southern hemisphere — attracted international talent and thousands of visitors from all over the state each year.
The January event was held in Howe Park, Windsor, for two years before being moved to McQuade Park in 2013.
The relocation was related to security concerns, complaints from surrounding residents and businesses, costs of traffic management and shade and area rehabilitation issues.
Alan Eagle from Heart of the Hawkesbury (HOH), the organisation that previously hosted the event, said HOH management couldn’t raise the hosting fee of about $45,000 this time around.
They alerted Melbourne-based event management company Sandstorm Events in May.
The event was then transferred to the Richmond Club, which became the new local host of the competition.
‘‘Even though Hawkesbury Council said they’d contribute $20,000, it came at the eleventh hour,’’ Mr Eagle said.
‘‘It’s always difficult in the Hawkesbury to raise large amounts of money for events.
‘‘The first time we had a fantastic year and poured the $40,000 back into it.’’
Mr Eagle said he was disappointed and saddened that the International event would no longer call the Hawkesbury home.
‘‘It’s very disappointing we couldn’t raise the money, but the whole community needs to get behind a huge event like this,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m very sad it’s gone.’’
It will now be held at Bella Vista Farm Park.
