City blocks Wellington Square music festival
The City of Perth has rejected plans for a New Year’s Eve music festival in Wellington Square and may review the policy that allows two such events to be held at the city site every year.
The Origin NYE event was intended to attract up to 15,000 people and was recommended for approval at last night’s council meeting but councillors said they were concerned about the effect on nearby residents.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said she believed the council’s policy of supporting two music festivals a year at Wellington Square should be revisited.
“I think we have proven it’s just not working for residents," she said.
Councillor Judy McEvoy said the city spent a lot of money on Northbridge and “as far as I’m concerned everyone can go to Northbridge and leave the residents of the city alone”.
“Each time we’ve had a concert (at Wellington Square) there’s been a problem,” she said.
Councillor Rob Butler, who was one of two councillors to vote in favour of the festival going ahead, said last time a major music festival was held at the site in 2012 only six complaints were received.
The event is being promoted online with Wellington Square as the venue.
