After organiser Manning PR and Events applied for $30,000 for the McCormack Barber Under the Stars New Year’s Eve event earlier this year, the council decided in August to donate $10,000 due to budget constraints in its major promotion fund.

The council has provided $30,000 in the past.

Earlier this month, Manning PR and Events director Kyle Manning wrote to the council, saying the event had not attracted the level of private support the organisation had hoped for and major sponsors McCormack Barber could not outlay the $30,000 it did last year to cover the donation shortfall for the Orange Health Service.

“While this is essentially a labour of love and we have a lot of energy and passion for New Year’s Eve, we will make a call on October 1 as to whether or not we will proceed,” Mr Manning’s letter said.

“We will not compromise on risk management, insurances, public safety, workplace health and safety, or professionalism and will not produce a diluted version of the event.”

A rescission motion signed by mayor John Davis and councillors Ash Brown and Jason Hamling could remove the council’s original decision tomorrow, leaving it free to decide on a new total.

A report to councillors said the critical amount needed to ensure the event proceeded was $20,000, which could be funded from its general donations pool.

If councillors decide to provide the extra $10,000, the proposal would be placed on public exhibition for 28 days.

The event has run for the past three years at Waratah sportsground. 

Mr Manning said the organiser had been grateful for the council’s support so far.

“They are so supportive and we understand that budgets can change - we hope the council will back us again but, if not, we’re still grateful for everything they’ve done in the past,” he said. 

“I think we are confident it will go ahead - we’ll work hard to find private sponsorship should the council not find the funds.” 

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au