Bizarre twist in bid to save Mount Isa Rodeo

There has been a bizarre twist in the bid to save the ailing Mount Isa Rodeo.

Rodeo clown Dexter Dick at the Mount Isa Rodeo. Photo: Peter Wallis.

There has been a bizarre twist in the bid to save the ailing Mount Isa Rodeo with allegations the local council is consigning the iconic event to a grim future by withholding a vital State government rescue package.

The much-loved rodeo was plunged into turmoil and placed in administration with debts of about $1.9 million in October, before the State government this week emerged with a $2 million bailout.

However, the good news has been tempered by the Mount Isa City Council moving to only pass on half of the money, leaving dozens of creditors in the lurch.

Administrators SV Partners say not devoting the full amount to the rodeo would “break Outback tourism’s crown jewel” and leave creditors to miss out on a third of the money they are owed.

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Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Mount Isa City Council Mayor Peta MacRae told media the council would set aside $1m of the funding package for “key economic development activities”, despite specifically requesting $2m “to ensure Mount Isa Rodeo continues successfully into the future”.

“Council understands that this may not cover all debts that are owing to creditors but (we) would be hoping that the receiver will be able to pay the majority of the funds owed in accordance with the legal statutes defining this process,” she said.

Tyler Morton at the iconic Mt Isa Rodeo. Picture: Aaron Skinn

The Courier-Mail has seen correspondence from Councillor MacRae where she lobbied the State government for $2m, saying the money could “pay the creditors and provide capital to start a new organisation” to run the rodeo.

However, administrator Michael Brennan from SV Partners said withholding half of the State government funding would see creditors – some of whom are owed more than $100,000, only paid about 65 cents in the dollar, while leaving the rodeo bank accounts empty ahead of any attempt to relaunch the event next year.

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“The missing $1m will break Outback tourism’s crowd jewel,” he said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the State government had supported the council funding request in good faith.

“We support the Mount Isa Rodeo continuing as an iconic regional tourism event and believe the council and local community is best placed to ensure its ongoing viability,” he said.

Councillor MacRae’s office had not responded to questions from the Courier-Mail about the rodeo by the time of publication.

Action at the Mt Isa Rodeo. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland