A more than four-month battle between the two came to a head at Tuesday’s meeting, with councillors debating the item for more than an hour before coming to the resolution to consider the item further and pay invoices to the value of about $160,000 for the interim.
That is despite councillor Leigh Wilson, who brought the debate into the public eye through videos posted to social media, intending to lodge a rescission motion and delay negotiations until the following council meeting.
However Cr Wilson missed the 12pm deadline yesterday to have the item in writing.
The delay in finalising arrangements for EMT to provide destination marketing and visitor services from July 1 this year has resulted in outstanding payments for Campaspe Shire which EMT has been unable to invoice for.
EMT chairman Dick Phillips addressed council on Tuesday and said as a gesture of goodwill EMT continued to provide services while unable to invoice for the costs.
“It was starting to become an issue as it was unsustainable and was something the board was going to have to review if it continued,” he said.
The new proposal before council was contentious, as it would place additional pressure on EMT in regards to presenting financial information on a more regular, and what some considered an unnecessary, basis.
“We have been in dispute with council regarding the level of detail required in reporting after a different interpretation was taken to a previous agreement,” Mr Phillips said.
“It has been an ongoing issue which has cost a lot of time – an extensive amount for both EMT and council.”
This is despite EMT providing monthly board meeting information to council staff and later resolving to provide the information to councillors.
EMT relies on about $328,000 in industry membership and support as well as contributions from councils on both sides of the river.
“We have had numerous council staff on the other side of the river (Murray River Council) express concerns with the time and energy which could have been devoted to providing destination marketing services,” Mr Phillips said.
For now, it is business as usual for EMT as the service level agreements for destination marketing and visitor services and the lease of the pump shed continue to be debated.
“I hope that before the next council meeting we can resolve areas of dispute and council can put up both agreements and a lease with terms that are agreeable for both parties,” Mr Phillips said.
“The sooner the better and we can get back to dealing with the delivery of destination marketing and visitor services.”