By Dominique Tassell
Locals have highlighted other ways Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) could have in their opinion better spent the reported $20,000 they spent on recent free events in Stanthorpe.
One local stated that for less than $10,000, SDRC could have funded music in the Piazza for a whole year.
This event has previously had immense local support, and locals have stated this would be a better use of SDRC’s money.
They also stated this would provide an opportunity to a wider range of artists that SDRC’s free events do, and that SDRC should let the events come organically from the community.
Other locals have given the opposite view, saying that at less than $10 a head for recent events they saw it as a good use of money.
“Next it’ll be cancelling Christmas cause the tree costs too much,” they said.
Another local said that the alternative to the recent free events is people “whinging” that there is nothing to do in Stanthorpe.
“Who can complain about a free family day out when the majority of the funds are provided by grants?
“Less whinging and more local support I say!”
Mayor Vic Pennisi highlighted the different processes for receiving grants from SDRC, and for SDRC receiving grants from the Federal Government.
“It’s all about process,” he said.
He stated that locals should engage more with SDRC on these issues, as when SDRC has asked for input previously there has been low engagement.
The Community Investments Stream of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) “funds community development activities including, but not limited to, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, leadership and capability building activities”.
Round four of the funding targeted drought-affected communities.
SDRC previously stated that the Granite Belt Beat, Bites and Bounce event received $20,000 of Federal Government funding, with an SDRC contribution of approximately $5,000.
The Kick On Stanthorpe event received $30,000 of Federal Government funding, with an SDRC contribution of approximately $15,000.
At the recent town planning meeting in Stanthorpe, a local wrote down that SDRC should “support proven events to continue to grow to economic uplift that does not rely on internal spend”.
They stated this would bring cash into the region rather than spending the money currently already in it.
