THERE is a strong indication the decade-long Evocities campaign has been sunk for good.
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It was supposed to be another four years of smooth sailing for the regional relocation marketing scheme.
Last year, the seven member councils were called-on to sink another $332,000 each into the treasure chest to entice city-slickers to take a voyage in search of easy-living in the bush.
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But Wagga Wagga, Orange and Armidale all jumped ship in 2019 and equilibrium was never recovered aboard the good ship Evocities.
The ship is in docks with the program on hiatus, but there has been indications Evocities could be scuttled altogether.
At next week's Tamworth Regional Council meeting, a report will be discussed by the councillors about the future of the program.
There won't be a recommendation to withdraw completely from Evocities, but general manager Paul Bennett suggested the council could already be looking for a new regional relocation vessel.
"Council won't be resolving to withdraw from Evocities, it will be an acknowledgement there will be no point in going forward with the new memorandum of understanding," Mr Bennett said.
"To talk about the future of Evocities, I think it's fair to say Evocities has probably run its course because out the seven members it had, three have pulled out."
And Tamworth might be already at the helm of an Evocities replacement.
The Regional Cities NSW group, which was established with Tamworth playing an "instrumental" role, has been christened as the next combined councils endeavor.
"So the [Evocities] memorandum of understanding will lapse now," he said.
"And we will be looking for a new mechanism to deliver those things.
"That's where the new Regional Cities NSW body comes in, there are 15 cities that make up the program and really have a focus on investment, rather than just selling the nice things about the lifestyle."
At the time of the group's formation, mayor Col Murray was adamant it wouldn't undercut the work of already existing programs like Evocities and the Country Mayors Association.
He said it was aimed at getting better engagement with the state government.
But now it looks likely the group will supercede Evocities.