Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has enhanced its food and beverage vendor process for a key aspect of the 2025 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers by introducing a fixed fee for site vendors for the first time.
TRC Community Development, Facilities and Tourism portfolio spokesperson Cr James O'Shea said vendors interested in securing a site adjoining feature floral displays in the Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park would now have more certainty around their financial commitment to be part of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
"Council officers have been working with members of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce to better understand their preferred model for fees relevant to food vendors providing services to the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
"After receiving their feedback, a significant benchmarking review was undertaken to understand what is contemporary in this space and we have responded appropriately with a fixed fee-based model allowing certainty for food vendors.
"Working collaboratively with the Chamber and its members has ensured everyone is on the same page and working towards another fantastic program of events in 2025," Cr O'Shea said.
"This a great win for vendors who were previously bound by a commission-type fee structure which created some uncertainty around their financial outlay to be involved.
"I can't wait to see some fantastic food and beverage vendors putting themselves forward with site applications now open for the 2025 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers feature floral displays parks vendor sites," he said.
Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Tanaya Treadwell said she was pleased that TRC and the Chamber were able to work collaboratively on the new vendor fee structure.
"To truly showcase our Region, we need to prioritise our local food and beverage vendors and give them every opportunity to succeed.
"We are pleased that through collaboration between TRC and Chamber, these vendors are now able to make more informed decisions around their involvement.
"We look forward to embracing the floralsand food at this year's 2025 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers," Ms Treadwell said.
"In consideration of the new fee structure, Council looked to events Australia-wide and with literally hundreds of thousands of people again expected to visit the Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park across the four-weekend focused event, the site fees are fair and attractive against potential returns for our vendors," Cr O'Shea said.
"I encourage food and beverage vendors who would like to be a part of the 2025 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers to submit their Park Vendor application by the closing date of 4pm Friday 20 June, 2025," he said.
