Youth Affairs Minister James Merlino gave the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge committee $100,000 on top of the $112,000 already given to get the popular event back on schedule for this year.

But Rock Eisteddfod executive producer Peter Sjoquist said it was too late.

Planning for this year would need to have started late last year for Rock Eisteddfod 2010 to be a success.

Mr Sjoquist, who has been the event’s executive producer for 21 years, said there wasn’t time to stage the professional event that audiences and participants deserved.

“Our production cycle should start in November - you can’t delay. If we were to start now it wouldn’t be ready until January, when everyone’s on school holidays. That’s no good now.”

Mr Merlino said the State Government would support students, who would miss out on this year’s event, by looking into alternatives for 2010.

The Victorian Government is one of only three states that contributes more than $100,000 to the event annually.

“We’re happy to discuss any creative ideas from schools that planned to take part in the Rock Eisteddfod or proposals from events managers for a one-off event.”

Mr Merlino said the Government would work with the Rock Eisteddfod committee to ensure the long-term future of the event.