If cancelled Bundalong Tavern and event owner Brett Butler is staring down a considerable loss and the possibility of refunding hundreds of tickets already sold for the rodeo to be held on December 29.
Mr Butler is hopeful the meeting on Tuesday afternoon (after the Chronicle went to print) is positive.
“This event is too important to us and the community not to make it work,” Mr Butler said.
“We picked it up after it was held at the showgrounds for many years supported by Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business.
“It would be a shame to see it cancelled.
“I want to work with council to make this happen and bring thousands of people to the area with it.
“I am hopeful of a positive outcome on Tuesday.”
Mr Butler has spent over $400,000 on his equine facility next to the tavern since getting a conditional permit early this year.
Although there is still some conditional work to be done, Mr Butler is confident he can tick all the boxes for a one-off permit for the December 29 event.
In a statement provided by council, it outlined the necessary permit requirement, granted for leisure and recreation (equine events), which is contingent upon meeting various conditions including traffic management, site management, road upgrades, and emergency management planning.
“The landowner has not complied with these requirements, leading to a breach of the Moira Planning Scheme and the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
“Council has spoken with the landowner following the cancellation of the event by the organisers, and a meeting will be scheduled this week to address the legislative compliance requirements.
“Council remains supportive of the event but emphasises the need for the landowner to fulfil the permit conditions before the event can proceed,” the statement said.
Last year’s rodeo at the Bundalong site was the first local rodeo in three years, with over 1,500 people attending the 22-event program.
