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5:34AM Sunday 23 November, 2008 Sunshine Coast weather Mostly sunny min 17° - max 25°

It's all go for Noosa Longweekend

27 May 2008

| Grant Reynolds

After a mysterious email, questions of staff reporting and concerns about setting a worrisome trend were thrashed out at council's General Committee yesterday, organisers of the Noosa Longweekend received financial protection that ensured it's business as usual for the festival.

Monday's meeting overturned an earlier Service Delivery Committee decision not to support the provision of up to $40,000 if the festival didn't break even.

The request was made to council when organisers projected a loss due to increased costs and reduced sponsorship dollars. The final vote was nine to two and those against, councillors Blumel and Hungerford, raised concerns about setting a precedent where other events would ask council for similar treatment.

Councillor Blumel said there was a risk that profits would be “privatised and losses socialised”.

The mysterious email – allegedly from a person connected to the festival – criticised certain councillors' debate as “uninformed” and “baseless” but division five councillor Jenny McKay, the recipient of the barbs, suggested asking questions was an appropriate way to become informed.

Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer said anyone who questioned councillors desire to get across the issues “needed their head read”. Discarding the email, debate returned to the Longweekend's financial sustainability and while most councillors recognised the event's cultural and economic contribution, a final recommendation was inserted stating “a post festival financial analysis to be provided to council outlining box office, audience, sponsorship results and future management strategies”. The final test is at Thursday's

> More information on the Noosa Longweekend

To request a program visit www.noosalongweekend.com/ email mailto:info@noosalongweekend.com or phone 07 5474 9941.

For bookings please call The J box office on 07 5455 4455, or visit at 60 Noosa Drive, Noosa Junction or check out www.noosalongweekend.com/ from 28 April.

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