THE council's controversial events levy mightn't be dead in the water as the mayor still sees the need for the revenue raiser.
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Col Murray's comments came as the council launched its newest event, a national scale motorbike exhibition and rally.
The establishment of National Thunder was funded with money from Tamworth Regional Council's existing budgets.
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The council had its bid to impose more rates on businesses to help fund more events was nixed by the state's revenue watchdog recently.
But Cr Murray has held firm on the need for the levy.
"I am still firmly of the belief that we need an events levy of some sort in the future and we need to get some revenue from somewhere to promote new events," he said.
The council will invest $117,000 into the establishment of the National Thunder event including the creation of a website, artwork and "increased awareness marketing".
The proposed levy was expected to raise about $400,000 over four years.
In recent months, the council has turned down some requests for support on existing events like the NSW country rugby championships.
Director of business and community, John Sommerlad, said the motorbike event had a distinction in its advantage when it came to finding council funding.
"You've got to take into account people will be paying to participate in this event," he said.
"That's the difference between the country rugby championships where the council has no ability to generate any money."