At last week’s council meeting, a majority of City of Perth councillors voted to refuse Horizon Touring’s application to host its Origin NYE music festival, which sold out last week, in Wellington Square.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the event, which is set to attract 15,000 people, was too large for the area.
‘No-one has been more supportive than me at giving these kinds of events a fair go, but the residents have got a real hammering,’ Ms Scaffidi said.
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READ NOW‘It negates the use of the park in the lead-up to the event, during the event and the aftermath of the event.
‘I think there are better sites away from residents, such as Gloucester Park, that could better accommodate it.’
Councillor Judy McEvoy agreed.
‘I will be thinking about the residents and ratepayers ” as far as I am concerned, everybody can go to Northbridge.’
However, Cr Reece Harley is concerned knocking back large-scale events like Origin would detract from the city’s vibrancy.
‘The organisers have been through a rigorous application process and made sure the right risk management plans are in place and enhanced security,’ Cr Harley said.
‘Cities all around the world have NYE parties much larger than this, it is one night of the year.’
At the same meeting, council approved the issuing of tenders for the Australia Day Skyworks.
Cr Harley said he did not understand why the event, held just as close to residential properties and which attracted close to 500,000 people to the city, was any different.
Organisers are now looking for another venue, however did not provide a comment before deadline.