The Western Advocate reported yesterday the extreme sports festival no longer has a home at Mount Panorama because it cannot afford to pay the track hire fee Bathurst Regional Council is requesting.

Council has previously waived or reduced the cost, however organisers have been advised they will need to pay the full fee of around $8500 from 2014.

Event co-ordinator Ben Perry this week said the burden of finding the extra funds has led to the cancellation of the event in Bathurst.

However, several councillors have said that, after receiving support from council for five years, Newton’s needed to be more independent.

Councillor Warren Aubin said council had “propped up” the event since its inception in 2008, and suggested organisers find more sponsors or increase their entry fees.

“This promoter, if they’re serious about running the event, needs to secure sponsors to cover the costs, not lean on the people of Bathurst. They can’t rely on handouts from council,” he said.

“We attract events that are able to pay for themselves and, while it’s always nice to have events in town that attract visitors, we can’t keep propping up [Newton’s] year after year.”

Cr Bobby Bourke echoed that sentiment, saying council needed to share funding around.

“You’ve got to look after all sporting and community groups, who are probably all feeling financial strain,” he said.

“Council will help out where it can – and we haven’t ruled out helping Newton’s in the future – but council shouldn’t have to wear the brunt of that. I think they’ve got to try harder.”

Cr Bourke said council has supported other events at the Mount that have gone on to become highly successful.

“The 12 Hour is probably the second-best event up there. After supporting it in its developing stages, council is now seeing it grow and make a profit,” he said.

“Council has supported Newton’s from the start. But how long can you go for? I feel for them, but what can you do? You can’t sponsor everyone all the time.”

And while the event brings visitors to Bathurst who then contribute to the city’s economy, Bathurst Business Chamber president Angus Edwards said most businesses would not feel the loss of the event.

“It’s certainly important to attract the visitors here – obviously, the more events we have at Mount Panorama, the better. But I’m not sure it would have much of an impact on the town,” Mr Edwards said.

“In terms of the number of people staying in town, it doesn’t compare to the B2B [Cyclo Sportif Challenge] or Bathurst 12 Hour, or even the show weekend.”