THE immediate future of the Bathurst Edgell Jog looks secure with Bathurst Regional Council set to approve a request for financial support.
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But jog organisers have not had it all their own way, with senior council staff recommending a donation of $5000 rather than the $6000 requested.
The annual fun run is one the biggest of its kind in NSW and has been a Bathurst institution for more than 40 years.
But the cost of running the event has risen greatly in recent years, particularly in relation to hiring qualified people to carry out traffic control.
The Edgell Jog committee lodged a funding request for $11,000 during council’s annual budget process, but it was knocked back due to the size of the request.
Councillor Monica Morse went in to bat for the jog, warning her colleagues the fun run’s future could be in danger without council’s support, and the committee was invited to lodge a second funding request.
They wrote to council again last month seeking a donation of $6000.
A report to councillors by corporate services and finance director Bob Roach recommends council support the event, but suggest the donation be capped at $5000 for 2016-17.
“The committee has advised that the request for funds will be used to provide accredited traffic controllers to allow the event to be conducted on accordance with the requirements of the NSW Police and other bodies,” Mr Roach states in the report.
“It is recommended that council make available a donation of $5000 from Section 356 donations to assist the Bathurst Edgell Jog Committee in the running of the 2016 Bathurst Edgell Jog.”
Mr Roach also states that council plans to schedule a future meeting with the Edgell Jog committee to discuss the future operation of the event.
It is recommended that council make available a donation of $5000 from Section 356 donations.
- Report to councillors
Edgell Jog committee member Ray Stapley told the Western Advocate last week that previously volunteers from service clubs would help to control traffic during the event.
However, updated traffic management rules have resulted in additional costs.
“You have to have a qualified person to control the traffic and as a result we’ve had to employ qualified people,” Mr Stapley said.
“We can’t keep putting the entry fees up because it detracts from the family fun aspect.”
Proceeds from the annual fun run are distributed to local charities.
This year’s Edgell Jog is on Sunday, September 18.
