THE Northern Midlands Council has rejected a request to invest $50,000 a year over three years to the Longford Revival Festival, while maintaining ownership of the event's branding.
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The council discussed a motion tabled at its June meeting at Longford, forwarded by event manager Opcon.
A recommendation that the council approve the transfer of the registered business name "Longford Revival Festival" and commit to providing no opposition to the event's trademark made by Opcon was made in the council's agenda.
The agenda also included a potential for the council to commit $50,000 a year for three years with an alternative to decide its own investment in the event.
Councillors discussed the motion, which listed the festival's background, risk issues, financial implications and a strategic plan until 2017.
Crs Michael Polley and Ian Goninon moved to refuse any monetary investment.
The council deferred a decision relating to the transfer of the registered business name, registered by the council to "ensure it was protected and held within the Longford community".
The motion put by Cr Polley also included deferring any decision to allow Opcon to use the trademark "subject to legal advice".
In the agenda motion, council economic and community development manager Lorraine Green said the festival had potential to "become a high-yielding tourism product for the Northern Midlands".
Ms Green said Opcon's Clint Pease was seeking funding from the state government and Events Tasmania.
"Opcon states that potential can only be realised if a significant financial commitment is made by [the] council," Ms Green said.
"Opcon states that if government and private sector funding for the festivals cannot be secured, the festivals will not be able to realise this tourism potential."
