Mr Robson questioned whether the council was making it clear what its genuine back-stop commitment to events would be and what its expectations were of people that were not direct ratepayer funders. He called the increase "phenomenal", saying if the private sector said it was skint, the council would end up with the costs.
Mr Crosby said it was hard to predict the requirements and timing for major events - they had to go with the flow. "We can't masterplan an events strategy over 10 years to the dollar."
Yesterday's decision to gradually increase the major events budget will go out for public consultation as part of the council's 2015-25 Long Term Plan. Next year's events budget has an increase of $200,000.
Staff said they expected that events would build over time and that the money in the budgets was the council's backstop funding.
Council CEO Garry Poole said the agreement with the current group of three private sector funders to consider major event proposals was not a binding legal agreement. Pressed on the point by Councillor Catherine Stewart, he said it was more of a verbal gentleman's agreement.
Mr Crosby said events had been grossly underfunded by the council in the 10 years prior to 2014-15 and he urged the council to take a leadership role.
Ms Stewart unsuccessfully tried to go out to the community "with something that was more realistic", but it was lost on a voice vote. The other opponents were Councillors Rick Curach and Bill Grainger.
Growth Projections for Major Events
*Visitor Nights: 79,000 (2017) to 123,000 (2024)
*Contribution to regional GDP: $3.3m (2017) to $9.95m (2024)
*Percentage of events held in the off-season, May to October: 40% (2017) to 60% (2024)
What they say
Rachelle Duffy, of Little Big Events, said any boost was a great move for the city but hoped the council would also consider smaller events.
Mrs Duffy and her husband were responsible for events such as Little Big Markets, Dinner in the Domain, On the Lawn, Christmas in the Park and The Night Owl Cinema.
She said their events were too small to qualify for the major event fund but too big to qualify for the community event fund, but still contributed a lot to the community.
Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren said although the extra funding was great, it was a matter of how it could be accessed and by whom.
"If you look at some of the best events we have here, like the Aims Games, they grow from the community," Mr Melgren said.
The summer months were always very busy with events but "after Easter it's like a patient on a bed with a very weak pulse" and the winter months needed a boost, he said.
Gourmet Night Market director >Kim Renshaw was pleased the council was putting more money into events but was hesitant to say too much without knowing how it would be distributed.
"I know they are putting more energy into events which I think is great," she said. "It definitely depends on what events. We've got to wait and see how it actually works.
"I think it's cool that Tauranga is becoming more vibrant. That is awesome."
Jetsprints event director Pip Minnell said it was exciting for the growing events industry in Tauranga.
Revenue from an event usually covered the cost of delivery but extra funding would allow for a greater investment in out-of-region marketing, attracting more people to the area.
"It will allow us to stay at the top of the game year-on-year."
It was important for the region to look at securing large, unique events that would pull large crowds, such as the World of Wearable Arts in Wellington, she said.
What do you think?
Have your say below or email editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz, go to our facebook page, text 021 241 4568 BOP (message) or write to Private Bag 12002.
Response may be published.
