In support of the funding, former mayor Pat Bourke was the only councillor to vote against the recommendation in council’s draft 2026/27 budget to reject a grant to the tourism body, which serves Mulwala and Yarrawonga.
Mulwala-based Cr Andrew Kennedy declared a pecuniary interest.
Instead, council is to spend $25,000 producing a promotional video about the whole shire, including the main towns in the Federation Council area of Mulwala, Corowa, Howlong and Urana.
Grant funding had consistently been provided to YMTB by Federation Council and, in the last 10 years, it granted $40,000 in 2017 and 2018, and $50,000 from 2019 to 2026.
At Federation Council’s latest monthly meeting on April 19, Cr Bourke referred to the long-standing arrangement between Federation and previous Corowa Shire Councils, and Yarrawonga Mulwala.
“All of a sudden, we’re completely proposing it be dropped. I’d like to have a softly, softly approach, we’ve been funding it for years, a long, long time,” he told fellow councillors.
“They do a great job.”
Deputy mayor Rowena Black also praised the work of YMTB over the years.
“When you look at the big picture, we need to make sure we are supporting all parts of our council area as fairly as we can,” she said.
Cr Black mentioned council’s recent decision to reject a submission for funding from Corowa Business Chamber while supporting the North of the Murray brand used in promoting the area to attract visitors.
Cr David Bott described the reuse of the sought-after $25,000 as “a far more equitable spend” that would benefit the whole Federation Council area.
Mayor Cheryl Cook said Facebook numbers for North of the Murray had reached more than 40,000 followers.
“That is a significant number of people who are looking at Federation Shire in general, and that includes Mulwala, Corowa, Howlong, Urana and anything in between,” she said.
Strongly supported with letters backing continuation of the funding, a lengthy submission to council by YMTB stated it was important to first recognise that withdrawing support from both major and smaller towns risked becoming a self-fulfilling outcome.
“The less investment directed toward local businesses and tourism within your LGAs, the more these communities will contract,” YMTB’s president Michael Coldham said.
“As is already being seen in places such as Deniliquin and Corowa, this pattern can accelerate decline, leaving towns to gradually lose economic vitality and long-term sustainability.
“Given the council’s published financial position, one could reasonably question the direction it is taking.
“The scale of our requested commitment is modest when considered alongside the council’s reported operating surpluses, net asset gains and cash reserves.
“Moreover, this investment is specifically designed to broaden and diversify revenue streams, an objective that directly aligns with the council’s own identified priorities.”
A good example, Mr Coldham said, was how the Powerboat Spectacular earlier this year filled Mulwala accommodation and had a significant impact on clubs and local businesses.
YMTB CEO Nathan Bibby expressed disappointment at council’s decision last week.
“We understood it would be a transition approach and give us time to shift our model away from a visitor information service to advocating for economic development throughout our two towns,” he said.
“We ask council to reconsider its current budget position and make provision for support for business and tourism, especially for the major towns of Corowa and Mulwala.
“Our submission is for council to support our transition by funding YMTB to the extent of $25,000 per annum for each of three years.”
YMTB’s submission was further supported in a last-ditch address during the public forum immediately preceding council’s meeting last Wednesday by Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism secretary Dominic Audino.
Mr Audino reinforced the submission’s request for funding to help transition from a local tourism model to a more contemporary and sustainable destination management organisation.
Council’s decision has infuriated the Mulwala Progress Association.
Association president Robert Purtle said: “We are very disappointed to hear Federation Council’s decision not to allocate any money to YMTB, after previously giving $50,000 annually, now leaving our tourist office without this valuable funding.”
