Cowra Shire Council has become the major backer of the town’s New Year’s Eve celebrations with councillors voting to provide a $6000 donation towards running the event.

In addition to the $6000 cash support Cowra Council is providing “substantial” in-kind support to assist the Cowra Community New Year’s Eve Beach Party Committee in hosting the event on December 31, 2024.

In past years Cowra Council has provided up to $2500 in funding for the event.

Requesting this year’s funding Cowra New Year’s Eve committee chair Ann Johnston told council the cost of living crisis and changes in government grant regulations had forced it to request a larger donation.

“The new focus (in grant funding) is on providing funds for infrastructure projects,” Ms Johnston told council.

After moving council approve the donation, councillor Nikki Kiss said “this donation has gone up”.

“They’ve provided us with a budget and advised why they haven’t been successful in State and Federal grants and it’s certainly through no fault of their own,” Cr Kiss said.

“The community spirit at these events is incredibly high.

“The committee members are out there diligently trying to raise funds.

“I think the critical point is that if we don’t provide this there is a very real chance of the New Year’s Eve beach party not going ahead, and it is budgeted for” Cr Kiss said.

Even though he seconded Cr Kiss’ motion mayor Paul Smith said “I do have concerns with the amount of money but I also accept, if we don’t (support it), will it go ahead”.

“I am concerned about the amount of money, but as Cr Kiss has said, it is budgeted for.

“I think one of the key things is what kind of attendance they get. If the people don’t want it,why do we do it?

“If they get plenty of people there you’d look at it differently,” Cr Smith said.“

Agreeing to the donation Cr Peter Wright pointed out council “allocate Cowra Tourism $5000 to put on a Christmas lights display and another five or six thousands for the street market”.

“Some of that (original New Year’s Eve) committee might have passed on or become less enthusiastic because as these events get more expensive to run, less people want to become involved because it gets too hard.

“We should support them this year and perhaps meet with the committee as a major stakeholder next year to discuss where they might be going.

“They’re out there having a go and we need to support them,” Cr Wright said.

Adding to the discussion Cr Cheryl Downing added “I will support this even though I have the same concerns as everyone around the room”.

“It’s a lot of money, the in-kind is a substantial amount as well,” Cr Downing said.