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CMC Rocks delivers record crowds, $10m to Ipswich economy

Photos by Lachlan Douglas

Record CMC Rocks Qld participants boost Ipswich as music venue.

Ipswich is becoming a go-to music venue after the success of the 2018 CMC Rocks Queensland event.

Libraries and Tourism Committee Chairman Councillor David Pahlke said almost 20,000 people attended the March music festival and the estimated economic boost to the region was about $10 million.

“CMC Rocks is now the largest country music festival in the country,” he said.

“There was a 41 per cent increase in tickets sold in 2018 and all the tickets were sold out in an hour. Interestingly, more than half of the ticket holders came from outside Queensland.

“This is a great partnership between Ipswich City Council and Tourism Queensland to secure this event for the next four years.

“I strongly urge the community to get involved. If you have not gone to a CMC Rocks festival, buy your tickets for next year as soon as they are available as it has become a fabulous, must-see event.

“With more festivals coming to Ipswich, we are earning a reputation as the new Byron Bay, providing some great music and entertainment for a large cross section of the community.”

Ticket sales have increased from 5,706 in 2011 to 19,715 in 2018.

Cr Pahlke said a return of the NSW audience, target promotion in Victoria, and increased awareness in Queensland had contributed to the rise.

“CMC Rocks Qld is promoted nationally and in North America by the festival partners. The festival is recorded and broadcast nationally and internationally via Foxtel’s Country Music Channel and affiliates,” he said.

“In the three months leading up to the event, council’s Tourism Development Branch worked with the CMC Rocks QLD marketing team to promote the variety of things to do and places to eat in Ipswich.”

Council had identified several areas which could be improved for future events, including an extension of the bus service from Ipswich Central to Willowbank Raceway, grounds work for the new extended camping area, and develop a pre-event program to attract visitors to other parts of Ipswich.

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