Giving out grants of money not yet confirmed was a challenge for the Vincent Community Board yesterday.
More than $76,000 was requested from event organisers from an available pool of $50,000. However, the $50,000 had not yet been confirmed through the annual plan process.
The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee came under fire from some board members in light of new events being expected to be self-sufficient within three years.
Vincent Community Board (VCB) chairwoman Tamah Alley said the Alexandra Blossom Festival had long-term support and new events were expected to work towards being self-sufficient.
"I don’t want to just surprise this on the festival committee but talk through what that could look like over the next three-to-five-year period."
Board member Tracy Paterson defended the blossom festival.
"It was the one thing I knew about before I knew anything about Alexandra ... it’s a really, really, really significant thing for this region."
Board member Jayden Cromb said it seemed unfair proposed new events were expected to be self-sufficient in three years yet more than half the available grant fund went to an event that had survived more than 60 years.
Central Otago District Council media and marketing manager Alison Mason said any grants agreed to by the board at the meeting would be dependent on the annual plan being approved.
If the board allocated all the funds available to it there would not be a second round of funding applications this financial year.
Mrs Paterson asked if that would disadvantage groups who traditionally applied to the second round.
Ms Mason said it would and the St Bathans fete was an example — it had missed a funding round last year so went without council money.
Mrs Alley said it would be a bigger challenge next year as the council went into a deferred long-term plan process and "it would be very much up in the air".
Tourism Central Otago head of destination Anthony Longman said the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment launched a national fund to promote regional events, like the ones applying for funding from the VCB. The fund would match existing promotional budgets so groups had the chance to double what the VCB granted to them.
Applications for funding were received from:
Alexandra Blossom Festival 2024 — $24,500.
Dare 2 Sweat Events — Spirited Women — All Women’s Adventure Race — $4000.
Alexandra Musical Society 2024 Annual Blossom Festival production— $8208.45.
WoolOn Creative Fashion Event 2024 — $9990.
St Bathans Fete 2025 — $2110.
Clyde Classic — $7500.
Dare 2 Sweat Events Goldrush Multi-sport Event 2025 — $20,000.
