By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council has passed a motion to reallocate unexpended funds from the Local Events Funding Program (LEFP), but undergone almost a half hour of debate first.
Councillor Stephen Tancred first asked to split the motion in half, as he did not agree with one portion but would support another.
He then spoke against unexpended LEFP funds being reallocated to Granite Wine and Tourism, Warwick Art Gallery, and Stanthorpe Agricultural Society.
While he thought they were worthy events and organisations, he stated he believed the remaining funds should have been reopened for tender.
Councillor Tancred also questioned why councillors were not invited to observe the committee, and stated that he did not have confidence he could ask questions and get correct answers in council meetings without being there.
He noted the decision made earlier this year in April to invite councillors to attend the grants to community committee, the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) committee, and internal funding application review panels.
“I think this LEFP funding falls under internal funding application review panel,” he said.
However, CEO Dave Burges responded that the funding was externally granted and therefore did not fall under the earlier decision.
Councillor Tancred then questioned why the RADF had to go back to tender after a 40 thousand dollar tender was not approved, but LEFP did not have to.
Councillor McNally stated that when RADF reopened applications, they changed the criteria.
She also stated that the events before council missed out previously due to the round being oversubscribed by worthy events.
Councillor McNally stated that they should be very grateful for the funds which would do good things in boosting tourism to the region after the bushfires.
She also stated that planning events in the current climate is “scary” due to the uncertainty around them.
The motion was moved by Councillor McNally and seconded by Councillor Gliori.
Councillors Tancred and Bartley voted against the motion however it was still successful.
The second motion, to allocate 30 thousand dollars from the community grants funding to Motorcycle Australia.
Councillor Tancred volunteered to move the motion, stating he thought it had national significance.
He stated council were being “good corporate citizens” by standing by their commitment to the “large, national organisation”.
He spoke of Council’s contribution being “significant seed funding”.
FoxSports is a partner in the event, as is SBS.
A Council spokesperson stated that the $30,000 awarded to Motorcycle Australia will be used to pay the track fee at Morgan Park.
The spokesperson emphasised the television coverage that would come with the event and that the event would have a significant economic impact.
This economic impact is attributed to “134 competitors, 770 support staff, 7500 spectators and fans in addition to the live reach numbers”.
They stated there was a total spend in the local economy of $2.9m.
Councillor McNally seconded the motion, calling it a “huge coup for our region”.
She stated she hoped the communications technology at Morgan Park would be upgraded prior to the event, as this had been identified as a problem previously.
Many have questioned why a national event is getting such significant funding when local community events are also in need of it.
