“Brisbane City Council is intent on fostering a creative city, where the community is heavily involved in the art and culture of the city,” said Divisional Manager Community and Economic Development, Pauline Peel. “An example of this commitment is the local cultural grants program, which encourages and supports Brisbane’s local festivals.
“As well as helping to bring local communities together to celebrate their multicultural diversity, Brisbane’s festivals often serve as a means highlighting and addressing environmental issues.”
The Oxley Creek Festival is an example of the Brisbane community focusing on both cultural and environmental issues. Various festivals see the local community galvanised around the theme of a particular waterway, providing an opportunity to reflect on the importance of environmental issues to local amenity.
This year, Riverfestival and Riversymposium will see the City celebrating the importance of its key natural attribute in August. This timing coincides with Brisbane’s hosting of the 2001 Good Will Games.
“Already an established international event, having the Riverfestival linked to the Goodwill Games will provide an excellent opportunity for the Brisbane community to showcase its River management on the world stage,” Pauline Peel said.
Ten days of Riverraging, Riverrowing, Riverfeasting, Riverjazzing and Rivertalking will culminate with the spectacular Riversymphony. Now in its third year, a highlight of the Riversymposium, which draws delegates from around the world, is the prestigious Theiss Services Riverprize award. This $100,000 cash prize recognises excellence in river management anywhere in the world and encourages innovative solutions to restoring healthy rivers.
Previous winners include the Mersey River Campaign in Manchester, UK and the Grand River Conservation Authority in Ontario, Canada. A national riverprize, also sponsored by Theiss, will be presented this year for the first time.
