“Just doesn’t make sense”: Moyne councillor calls for review of festival and events funding after $150,000 approval

Moyne Shire Council unanimously approved $150,000 in festival and events grants at last Tuesday's meeting, but not before councillor Jim Doukas used the vote to call for tighter criteria for applicants before next year's round.

A local boost: Presenting the report, economy and tourism manager Darby Lee said the program had supported a wide range of events across the shire. Council’s recent Public Events Economic Impact Analysis report estimated those events contributed about $22 million to the local economy.

• The grants program, which has operated for more than a decade, attracted 21 applications seeking a combined $175,000 – $25,000 more than the available budget.

• Four council staff reviewed the applications against the current funding criteria and recommended which ones should get funding.

Under the microscope: Moving the motion, Doukas supported the funding package but urged council to take a tougher approach before next year’s round. 

• Doukas said some events deserved support, but added “some of the funding they’re getting just doesn't make sense”.

🗣️ “Because I see a lot of the money goes into propping them up … I think we need to review it from a more business perspective to see which of those events could survive without our help.”

🗣️ “It's a great facility that we provide to the community. I've just spoken about a few little issues that I have with it, that doesn't mean we're going to cancel them,” he said. “We just need to be more prudent and stringent with the way we go about it.”

Now what? Lee agreed to bring a review of the funding guidelines back to council before applications open for the grants next year, while confirming this year’s recommendations had been finalised.

The Brolga has contacted councillor Doukas for further comment.