The sky over Lake Macquarie will soon be filled with some of the world’s best pilots, racing at speeds of over 400 kilometres per hour, and demonstrating serious precision flying thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said $2.5 million in funding would allow the Air Race World Championship to host the high-octane aviation event in the Lake Macquarie region, putting the area on the international stage.

“This will be a fantastic event and a great opportunity for locals to get out and see some of the best pilots in the world compete against the clock racing through inflatable airgates at more than 400 kilometres per hour,” Mr Martin said.

“One of those pilots is the Lake Macquarie local and reigning world champion Matt Hall who will be competing in front of a home crowd.

“The Air Race series has held 94 races in 21 countries attracting more than 24 million viewers, and the Lake Macquarie event is expected to attract thousands of spectators and contribute more than $8 million into the local economy.

“The event will also feature world-class entertainment, with live open-air concerts from high profile musicians and performers.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the event would bring significant economic benefit to local businesses as well as putting the region on the world stage.

“We are so excited to be hosting the Air Race World Championship in Lake Macquarie. This is a global event that will showcase our city and lake to the world and bring significant economic benefit to local businesses,” Cr Fraser said.

Josh Sattler, CEO of Dantia, Lake Macquarie’s economic development organisation, said, “the event will open commercial and tourism opportunities for the city.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Events Acceleration Fund is supporting the growth of existing regional events and attracting new major domestic and international events to regional NSW.

“We are serious about driving investment and tourism in our regions – and the Regional Events Acceleration Fund will bolster demand for accommodation, fill restaurants and cafés, and help drive regional NSW’s economic recovery from bushfire, floods, drought, COVID-19 and the current flooding crisis,” Mr Toole said.

“The fund has already supported more than 80 events which are expected to attract one million visitors to the regions, laying the foundations for a strong recovery across regional NSW.

“Helping organisers host world-class events in their own backyard showcases our great regional towns to national and international audiences.”

The Air Race World Championship will be held in Lake Macquarie from 18 – 20 November 2022.

The $40 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure for regional communities.

Applications for Round Two of the Regional Events Acceleration Fund are now open and close 5pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022. For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to nsw.gov.au/REAFund.