FUNDING for Uralla’s Thunderbolt’s Festival is in limbo after councillors put a decision on supporting the event on hold.
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Organisers of the annual festival Bev Stubberfield and Leanne Cooper wrote to Uralla Shire Council asking for a $12,000 contribution to planning costs as well as in-kind support.
But after going to the Corporate and Community Committee on May 16, it was recommended Council only allocate $10,000 for the festival.
Council’s acting general manager George Cowan said the recommendation put before councillors at Monday’s meeting was put on hold.
“Councillors deferred a decision on funding until they have an opportunity to meet with the festival organisers to discuss ways in which this very important festival can be developed without additional cost to the council budget,” Mr Cowan said. The deferral comes after the festival’s organising committee provided a financial report of last year’s event.
The figures showed last year’s festival operated at a loss of $281.
A total of nearly $26,000 was poured into the event.
But the final taking for the festival was just $25,651.
Council contributed $10,000 to last year’s event, with the Uralla Bowling Club, Phoenix Foundry and New England Mutual also chipping in $1000 each to support the festival.
An unnamed donor is also listed in the report as having made a one-off contribution of $8377.
While the decision on the funding allocation was put on hold, Mr Cowan has pledged his support to the festival.
“I have agreed with the festival committee members that they may use the council PO box and the Visitor Information Centre as the drop off and collection point for enquires and entry forms,” he said.
“I have also agreed that limited photocopying can be done by Council and have advised that this will be charged at actual cost.”