SUTHERLAND Shire Council has refused a request for $150,000 in sponsorship to organisers of the Endless Summer festival planned for Cronulla this year.
Instead, the council will give them $20,000 in-kind to go towards the clean-up after the event.
Endless Summer is a free event held in Gunnamatta Park between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve and is promoted as a family-oriented food and wine festival with live music.
Organiser Southside Events estimated more than 55,000 people attended the inaugural festival last year, with economic benefits flowing on to businesses in the area, including cafes and restaurants.
But Sutherland Shire councillor Kevin Schreiber said $20,000 from the council was too much. "Last year the organisers asked for $150,000 and we have them $50,000," he said.
"They asked for $150,000 this year and it is proposed we give them $20,000.
"I think we should give them $15,000 and also tell them that council sponsorship will not be available next year."
Festival organiser Mario Kalpou, who runs The Old Library restaurant in Cronulla, said the economic flow-on from the event justified any sponsorship.
"We generated millions of dollars for the local economy," he said. "Last year 55,000 people came to Cronulla who would not have come here except for this event [and] 80 per cent of the stalls were run by local businesses.
"From a tourism perspective there were articles published across Australia about the event. In hindsight of some of the bad press Cronulla has received in the past, this event is a no-brainer."
Cr Carol Provan supported the $20,000 sponsorship.
"This was a really good event last year," she said.
"I thought $20,000 was a fair amount. I think this is a pretty good thing for Cronulla."
But Cr Carmelo Pesce said the money could be better spent on supporting the elderly, such as community workers to take them shopping.
Cr Tom Croucher said the event was being expanded significantly this year.
"We didn't pluck the $20,0000 just out of thin air," he said.
"It was a considered amount."
Cr Schreiber said there had been noise complaints from residents in nearby streets after last year's event.
"They would be concerned that we are giving $20,000 to the event, even if it is in-kind," he said. "The council is becoming the last resort for businesses.
"People like Enough is Enough can't get enough support while we are giving $15,000 to private organisations.
"I think we have got to take a good hard look at our funding strategy."
Should the council provide $20,000 in sponsorship to the Endless Summer festival?
