Wattle Range Council has come to the rescue of a major annual South East regional event by providing cash grants of up to $7500.


The 2024 Limestone Coast Wine Show will receive $2500 from the council with similar amounts for the 2025 and 2026 shows if council finances permit.


The funding had been sought by show organisers and followed the withdrawal of financial backing by the Limestone Coast Local Government Association.


Wattle Range Council decided on the grants and to be a “white knight” at its July monthly meeting in Millicent, with Mayor Des Noll saying the LCLGA decision had been taken at a board meeting at Bordertown last month.


Mayor Noll said he was an observer at that meeting but could not vote to retain the LCLGA grants for the Limestone Coast Wine Show.


The successful motion to deny the funding was moved and seconded by two first-term mayors: Robe’s Lisa Ruffell and Tatiara’s Liz Goossens.


When a staff report about the Limestone Coast Wine Show was presented to Wattle Range Council, there was strong support from wine industry veteran councillor Chris Brodie.


He said the local wine region stretched from Padthaway to Mount Gambier with many key show events staged at Coonawarra.


In her report to council, Development Services director Emma Clay said the request for show sponsorship had come from the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council for perpetual funding of $2500.


“The event rotates its location around the Limestone Coast; however, the judging and exhibitors’ tasting is always held in the Penola-Coonawarra region,” Ms Clay said.


“The event also attracts a very large contingency of Coonawarra wineries.”


She pointed out council had sponsored nine Penola/Coonawarra events in the last financial year at a cost of $18,500.