To be held on New Year’s Day, the concert organisers are one of 17 groups who have sought funding from the council for round 2 of event sponsorship. However, it has been recommended that the council refuses the funding request.

The 2500 concert tickets to see Xavier Rudd and Ash Grunwald went on sale on August 18, and were reportedly selling well.

Other groups who had requested funding but have also been recommended to be refused include Chilli FM for Australia Day Eve fireworks, Targa Australia and organisers of the Esk Craft Beer and Food Festival.

All three groups were seeking $20,000 each.

Those groups that have been recommended to receive funding include the Tasmanian Turf Club for the Launceston Cup ($20,000), Tennis Tasmania for the Launceston Tennis International ($15,000), Orienteering Tasmania ($10,000) and Encore Theatre Company for the production of Evita ($10,000).

According to council’s grants and sponsorship officer Angela Walsh, requests for round 2 of funding totalled $199,300 – a 32.5 per cent increase on last year.

The council had budgeted $88,850 for round 2 of funding and each event had been considered against a set criteria.

Event funding will be considered at Monday’s council meeting.