A DISPARITY in pricing has emerged between usage charges for the rodeo ground at Equex and similar venues across the state.
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Wagga City Council will now consider reducing its current fee following a letter from rodeo contractor John P Gill and Sons which will be tabled at its meeting on Monday night.
Council currently imposes a fee of $1854 per day for the site but if an amendment is adopted it would decrease to just $500 a move - which would better reflect the facilities provided at the venue.
"We feel that, when compared to the fees charged for similar events held at other grounds and the facilities offered (sic) by those grounds, the sum of $1800 is excessive," Mr Gill wrote.
The correspondence revealed Equex lacked a number of facilities, which are included in the fees imposed by other councils and venues including stables, toilets, showers, security fencing and lights.
The fee is $1500 at Orange, $1000 for facilities in Yass, Grafton and Muswellbrook, while just $800 is imposed on users at Cranbourne in Victoria.
In his letter, Mr Gill urged councillors to "bring ground hire costs back into line with those of other venues offering better facilities".
He said the additional costs incurred, including buying materials to ensure the arena surface is adequate and lost revenue due to a lack of secure fencing, has put the future of the Wagga Pro Rodeo in doubt.
If councillors move to amend the fee, it would be placed on public exhibition for 28 days and a final decision would be made at next month's meeting.