The BMEC conference on May 16-17 will bring together industry leaders in the conservation field with at least 150 delegates from across NSW expected to attend.

Organisers have asked council to waive around $7400 in hire fees in return for being listed as a major sponsor of the event.

“This level of sponsorship would include the council logo on all promotional material, promotion of Bathurst on the group's website and encouragement of delegates to consider an extended stay,” a report to councillors states.

“Council is also requested to host an industry display at the event.”

Council staff have recommended the fee waiver be capped at $5000 in line with usual council practice “for these types of events” but the report acknowledges that council “may wish to provide an increased level of sponsorship”.

That recommendation, however, is in stark contrast to council staff’s recommendation that council waive no more than $4333 of a $6500 hire fee for the running of the Rotary Young Driver Awareness program at the pit complex in May.

The RYDA recommendation angered Bathurst readers on Monday, with the majority of respondents to an Western Advocate poll saying council should waive the entire $6500 fee for the week-long hire.

Of more than 250 votes cast by 5pm on Monday, 86 per cent called for council to waive the full among while 11 per cent said a two-thirds waiver was generous enough.

Councillors will vote on both fee waiver requests on Wednesday night.

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