THE mayors of Vincent and Stirling councils have thrown their support behind the decision to cancel the Beaufort Street Festival.
City of Stirling Mayor Giovanni Italiano said organisers told the City in late February that the festival would be no more.
Mr Italiano said the event had evolved into something quite different from what it was intended to be.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“The event had evolved into something quite different to what it started out as and had become too big for organisers to adequately run,” Mr Italiano said.
“The City has provided grant funding to the Beaufort Street Festival for several years through our cultural development funding, in which community and not-for-profit groups can annually apply for funding to support an event within the City of Stirling.
“We wish organisers well as they explore a new direction and potentially other smaller events for the area instead.”
Stirling committed $30,000 to the festival in its 2015-16 budget, while Vincent chipped in $75,000.
Vincent Mayor John Carey, who co-founded the festival in 2010, said he supported the organisers’ decision to shut down the festival.
Beaufort Street Network chairwoman Pam Herron said the festival would be replaced with smaller community events throughout the year.
“I don’t think everyone appreciated how much time and effort went into it throughout the year,” Ms Herron said.
“Funding the festival each year is challenging, particularly for a non-profit community organisation in the current economic conditions.
“The network may relaunch a smaller community celebration in future years.”
Vincent chief executive Len Kosova said the council would determine funding for smaller community events during its deliberations on the draft |2016-17 budget.