Addison Street in Shellharbour Village will be the location for the Sunshine Festival. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
A much-loved Shellharbour event is set to make a sunny comeback, with council backing lighting the way for the Sunshine Festival to return as a signature food and wine celebration this February.
With live music, local flavours and a prime location in the main street of Shelharbour Village, organiser Kao Kreative believes the major festival will be about more than what’s on the plate — it’s about community pride and putting Shellharbour on the map.
During a recent council meeting, Shellharbour City councillors unanimously approved a $10,000 contribution to support re-establishing the free family-friendly festival in Addison Street in Shellharbour Village on 28 February.
In moving the motion, Councillor John Davey read from the report, which said the festival had strong potential for significant growth in attendance and tourism in the coming years.
Organisers will engage Shellharbour sporting clubs, community organisations, schools and more than 20 food and wine businesses.
The festival will also feature live music, roaming entertainment, cooking demonstrations, displays and market stalls.
“Ultimately, the festival will be more than just a weekend of flavour and entertainment – it will serve as a catalyst for civic pride, economic activity and community connection,” the report said.
It also said it would enhance residents’ wellbeing, while reaffirming Shellharbour as a “vibrant, united and proudly local destination”.
Cr Davey said the statements could extend to other successful events run in the city, therefore garnering his support.
Councillor Lou Stefanovski said he too supported the initiative.
“I think it’s fantastic [that] council is really good at supporting not-for-profits or businesses that bring a lot of benefits for our residents,” he said.
Councillor Rob Petreski also backed the recommendation while encouraging a long-term shift from cash donations toward in-kind support so the event could eventually become self-sustaining.
“I am mindful that this is ratepayers’ money. We have to be careful in how we use it,” Cr Petreski said.
“I think there’s potential for a really good event and the location is excellent, the concept is excellent and I know the operator has done a good job in the past and I’m sure they’ll do a good job again.
“I just want to make sure we look at things like this in terms of providing support in the initial stages and then hopefully these things grow wings and fly on their own.”
The bottom end of Addison Street. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
His comments followed an earlier motion where council unanimously approved in-kind sponsorship up to $12,000 for the LASERVISION LUNA Light Journey series in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Previously known as the Enchanted Forest, councillors recognised its positive impact on the community and tourism and praised its affordability for families, high attendance and success in attracting visitors to the Blackbutt Forest location.
Cr Marsh said when one looked at the in-kind donation of $12,000 and subtracted the $7000 for the venue, Shellharbour was “blessed to have something so big that we’re putting in minimal for”.
“So I am more than happy to support this as it’s certainly bang for buck for our community and for tourism as well,” she said.
Cr Petreski said the original event was co-funded with the State Government, with council sponsoring the following two events.
“I think that kind of seed money, similar to other things we’ve done, we’ve encouraged people to bring their show or their event to council, with some funding to help establish that event,” he said.
“I think the event is well and truly established.
“For three years in a row, we’ve exceeded about 50,000 participants.
“So I think it’s the right way to go, where we’re not giving a direct cash donation, but instead we’re supplying services in kind to support this event, because our residents do enjoy the event and it does bring in people from outside our LGA as well.”
Cr Davey cited official reports to argue that council should adopt a more business-like, financially sustainable approach: ensuring user charges reflect true costs, actively seeking revenue opportunities and rigorously setting fees to avoid dependence on government grants.
“The point of my citing those reports is for our council to be looking for those revenue generating opportunities,” he said.
“I think in this instance … given the size of the revenue stream coming in, we perhaps could have gone in a little bit harder on a $12,000 in-kind support for this.
“Having said that, I’ve enjoyed attending these shows and I would like to see them continuing in the city.”
