Cumberland Council has slashed its Lunar New Year funding – from $60,000 to $16,000 – with support limited to the installation of street banners in 11 town centres and suburbs until February 16, in a move strongly criticised by Labor councillors, who want “celebrations on a scale consistent with appropriate Covid-safe precautions”.
In a joint statement they said Cumberland “promotes a culture of belonging in a community in which everyone has a stake”.
“This makes us all safer and and enriches our experience of life,” they said.
“Lunar New Year is a good example of this. There are also Diwali and Ramadan and other occasions.
“Council’s costs in supporting these events are an investment in social cohesion and wellbeing. Much of the cost is recouped by payments from participating organisations, businesses and sponsors.
“Council’s financial support only goes to events that are open to the general public and are consistent with our community-building and economic goals.”
State MP for Auburn, Lynda Voltz, also said the move was “extremely shortsighted” and would hurt many local businesses.
“The mayor has spent a lot of his time lecturing other councils over Australia Day festivities and demanding they went ahead. Yet here he is arguing against what are important annual local events,” she said.
Rejecting the criticism, Mayor Steve Christou said he and the council fully supported celebrations important to all members of the community.
“However in these difficult Covid-19 economic times, and due to the financial pressures it inherited as an amalgamated council, it must monitor all spending,” he said.
He added that they encouraged “community groups from all diasporas to organise financial support through sponsorship” for events to allow them to proceed, with the council then providing “in-kind support, logistics and planning expertise”.
