Daniel Martelozzo, a driving force behind the New Year’s Eve display, warned the event could be at risk if further funding is not provided.

Council general manager Peter Thompson said the council supported the previous Skyworks event with $45,000 in the form of cash plus support services. 

“An amount of $50,000 has been included for a New Year’s Eve event in the draft budget for next financial year,” he said. 

Mr Thompson said Skyworks’ organisers had requested council provide money to support their 2018 event.  

“They have also indicated that they commence their planning up to eight months prior to New Year’s Eve and would like an indication of whether council can provide public funding to support the event within this timeframe,” he said. 

Mr Thompson said the decision around funding will be made at a council meeting later in the month.

“The March report will recommend that council contribute $50,000 of council funds to the event proposed by Skyworks,” he said.

“The event last New Year’s Eve was widely enjoyed by the whole community and council is confident that the community will support council’s proposed financial support of the 2018 New Year’s Eve event.”

Country Hope business manager Tom Looney, whose charity received $10,000 from the event, said he wanted Skyworks to continue as such fundraisers are crucial to the survival of community charities.

“It’s the sort of funds that we need to keep our doors open and we care for over 170 families still throughout the Riverina area,” he said. 

“We need that sort of contribution to keep us going, we don’t receive any government funding, so we rely totally on these sorts of events.”

Mr Looney said it is not just about the funding for charities, it is about the community and it would be a shame if it was cancelled. 

“My granddaughters had an absolute ball,” he said. 

“The feedback I got from people who attended was positive.

“It brings the community together and the more we get of that these days the better.”