SEASONS of New England has been granted in-kind support from Uralla Shire Council for this year’s event.
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But a question mark hangs over future funding for the event.
The food, produce and craft market, which will be held on March 19, was given the tick at last week’s ordinary meeting of Uralla Shire Council.
Organisers may be forced to apply for support each year through Council’s community grant scheme.
Festival organisers asked Council to waive fees for the use of Hampden Park, the provision of eight council bins and the loan of 140 metres of fencing.
They also requested three council marquees, with the assistance of staff to help with the erection and removal of the tents.
In total, the estimated cost for the in-kind support is $720.
Before giving the request the tick, councillors debated whether the event deserved regular allocated funding in the council budget, or if money had to be applied for through the grant scheme.
Karen Dusting said the event, which is being held for the third time this year, was on par with Thunderbolts Festival and Uralla Rotary Art Show in terms of attracting visitors to the town.
“It shouldn’t be asking for funding,” Cr Dusting said.
“The Thunderbolts Festival and the Rotary Art Show all started somewhere.”
But Fred Geldof said the organisers should have to go through the community grants scheme, as should all council sponsored events.
“Anybody [should] have to put in a submission for funding,” Cr Geldof said.
“Everything should go under the umbrella of community grants.”
The scheme allocates funding twice a year and offers non-recurrent grants of up to $3000.
But some councillors feared taking Seasons of New England funding out of the grant pool could mean other groups or individuals would miss out on money.
“It’s only about $7000 we have in our grants,” Mayor Michael Pearce said.
“Seasons of New England brings both social and economic benefits to the Uralla Shire in general.
“It is something different and attracts visitors from outside the region.
“It’s a unique event and something we should attempt to maintain.”
Councillors voted to approve the in-kind support, but decided to debate the issue of the community grants scheme at a forthcoming workshop.
