Orange City Council decided to slash its sponsorship from $30,000 to $10,000 last month, citing budget constraints, according to the Central Western Daily.

The CWD reported organisers, Manning PR and Events, wrote to council to say the event had not attracted the level of private sponsorship they had hoped for, and $20,000 was needed to ensure the event proceeded.

Mayor Gary Rush said Bathurst council also commits around $30,000 to the city’s New Year’s Eve event, and will do so again for the 2014/15 celebration.

“For us it has been a long-standing event which has been well supported by the community and the council,” he said.

“There is no question that council wouldn’t support the event ... it is a valued event on our calendar.”

While Orange councillors originally supported the drop in funding, mayor John Davis and councillors Ash Brown and Jason Hamling lodged a rescission motion to discuss the matter further at last night’s meeting.

Cr Rush said this year’s New Year’s Eve event will also mark the start of the city’s bicentenary celebrations.

“For us this year, it presents an opportunity to herald in our bicentenary year,” he said. “It’ll be as important, if not more important, it’ll take on a Bathurst 200 theme and we’re committed to this event.”

Cr Rush said council would continue to support Bathurst’s free New Year’s Eve event, in addition to subsidising the rides and providing free face painting for children.

He said the night also allowed service groups to hold barbecues as a fundraising exercise.