The money will bridge the gap between when funding from the former Waggamba and Goondiwindi Town Council ends, and the new Goondiwindi Regional Council brings down its first budget sometime in August.

It will also see in the metamorphosis of GDP into the Border Rivers Chamber of Commerce.

GDP members endorsed the change earlier in the year.

GDP President Clive Quartermaine and Promotions’ Officer Bruce McCollum lobbied the Council at its last meeting.

They spoke passionately about the importance of continuing GDP funding, and about its new role as a Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Collum and Mr Quartermaine see that as providing a “home” for regional business.

Exclusion was not an option.

Mr McCollum said it was important to produce ties with all businesses from Boggabilla to Yetman to Texas to Talwood.

Mr McCollum said many Councils and Chambers of Commerce have an “adversarial relationship”.

He said the Border Rivers Chamber of Commerce would have “failed” if that occurs with the Regional Council.

“We want to provide grassroots information to you (Council). We want to be your ears and eyes around the region,” he said.

Councillors voted unanimously to give GDP a grant of $25,000 extending its funding until September 30.

But there were concerns.

“I want to see it (GDP) keep going but I have reservations down the track,” Cr Phil Percival said.

Much of that “reservation” comes down to a concern over “duplication” of services.

Cr Dave McMahon said he hoped Council would employ a tourist economic development officer.

“The more we do, the less GDP has to do which will impact on their funding,” he said.

Cr McMahon said Councils had shied away from tourism and economic development in the past but that the time had come for it to “drive the agenda”.

However he said he believed a Chamber of Commerce had an important role to play.

He was also supportive of GDP’s request for more funding.

Cr Sharon Lee said she agreed with Cr McMahon.

“The primary interest (of a Chamber of Commerce) is making businesses prosperous and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said.

However she believed there should be a “separation” between Council and the Chamber.

“A Chamber of Commerce is certainly required but it should be a lobby group,” Cr Rick Kearney said.

“I don’t want to see the Chamber of Commerce as part of the Council,” he said.