THE possible development of a small event stage at one of the City of Bayswater’s major parks is on the cards.
Councillors voted 6-4 in favour of Cr Catherine Ehrhardt’s alternate motion to further investigate the feasibility of a permanent stage at either Robert Thompson Reserve, Riverside Gardens, Houghton Reserve or The Rise at their December 3 meeting.
Mayor Dan Bull and councillors Michelle Sutherland, Stephanie Gray and Elli Petersen-Pik voted against it.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe City will explore funding opportunities through a grant from parties such as Lotterywest, corporate businesses and Healthway.
A report will be presented at a councillor workshop in April 2020.
City officers had recommended against progressing the development of one stage because the community event program had more neighbourhood-focused events.
According to an officer’s report, the City delivered about 20 events a year and the average stage, light and sound infrastructure cost was about $5000 per event.
Cr Ehrhardt said other councils had a permanent stage and she wanted a small stage similar to the one at Hyde Park in the City of Vincent.
“When we have not-for-profit groups, one of the most costly items for them is staging hire,” she said.
“We have great groups in our area that will use it.
“I recognise there is expenditure there but don’t want the whole thing canned… we can continue to explore funding opportunities.”
She said while it was ideal to have a small stage in each suburb, it was a good start to develop one stage first.
Cr Sutherland said it was a good idea but she was conscious of the City’s budget.
“If we have smaller functions, I don’t see the need for one big stage,” she said.
“We’ve got more to worry about than getting a stage.”