August 23, 2023
South Burnett Regional Council has voted to sponsor Red Earth’s Community Leadership Forum next month in Murgon, but not for the amount discussed at a committee meeting earlier this month.
On August 9, Council officers put forward a recommendation at the SBRC’s Liveability Standing Committee meeting that sponsorship of $25,000 be provided for the event as well as a waiver of the cost of hiring Murgon Town Hall.
After a query from Cr Jane Erkens, a motion to lay the request on the table was passed unanimously until more information was sought.
Red Earth general manager Melinda Jones was shocked when she saw the Council discussion and report in regards to the supposed $25,000 request.
At Wednesday’s general meeting, Council CEO Mark Pitt clarified the request.
“Their expectation was that Council would never sponsor in full,” Mr Pitt said.
He said “through no fault of anyone”, there had been confusion over words on top of a table in an attachment submitted by Red Earth stating “sponsor in full or in part”.
“The way the table read, versus the line above it, you would think that was the full request,” Mr Pitt said.
Red Earth were, in fact, only seeking for support of $1810 ie. waiver of the hall hire ($510 in kind), equipment hire ($300) and PA hire ($1000).
Acting Mayor Gavin Jones said Red Earth did good work and he was happy to support this request.
The resolution to support the $1810 sponsorship was passed unanimously.
The forum, which has the topic of “Circularity”, will be held on September 7.
Guest speaker is Professor Veena Sahajwalla, from the the University of NSW, who specialises in recycling science.
Tickets for the event can be booked online
- Related article: Council Queries $25,000 Request
UPDATE August 28: The Red Earth forum has been postponed to October 31.
