Wagga's community New Year's Eve event has once again been opened up for bidders after last month's search for failed to attract a suitable application.
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Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said the event would be moving on to a new operator after two years with Thomas Brothers under the 'Skyworks' name.
"Thomas Bros have run two very successful New Year's Eve events following on from Committee 4 Wagga, who started it and ran it successfully for two or three years," he said.
"They didn't see it as part of their core function and then we went out to tender and that's when Thomas Bros came on board and have done an excellent job.
"I understand that they wanted a larger involvement from council and we haven't the funds at this stage to do that and so we have gone back to the community to see if there are any members out there interested in putting on a New Year's Eve event."
A representative from Thomas Bros declined to comment but did confirm that the company did not place a bid in the previous call for tenders, which closed on March 20.
Wagga City Council published advertisements on Saturday calling for tenders, highlighting its offer of a $50,000 sponsorship and the event's fundraising potential.
"The hunt is on for a community group or organisation to take the lead on Wagga's 2019 New Year's Eve celebrations," the ad stated.
"If you think you can help Wagga say goodbye to 2019 by bringing the good vibes in the form of a festival, concert or precinct party, then now is your time to shine."
The ad stated the previous call of operators "did not result in any complying submissions".
Councillors were advised in March last year that the tender process was being scheduled to allow enough time, about eight months, for the successful applicant to plan for and establish the event.
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Before changing to 'Skyworks', Wagga's community New Year's Eve event was held in the Victory Memorial Gardens.
Cr Conkey said the 'Skyworks' format of the previous two events had been successful but had proven expensive to run.
"Whatever (format) they would like to put to us, it will be seriously considered," he said.
"The last couple of years has been around Lake Albert and that has attracted a lot of people not only to Apex Park but also the boat club and country club.
"But it's an expensive thing to put on a New Year's Eve function, we appreciate that, but we're interested to see if there is anyone else out there wanting to put on the event with council sponsorship."
The advertising campaign stated that the council was looking for "interested community groups, organisations, business owners and individuals" and highlighted that "more than 10,000 people attend Wagga's New Year's Eve celebrations each year."
"This is a unique opportunity for a new event or something similar to previous New Year's Eve celebrations. Whatever format it takes, it must be community-focused with a wide audience appeal," the ad stated.
"The event is a chance to get exposure for a club, group, charity or business and raise funds through stallholders, business sponsorship or ticketed VIP areas."
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