Perth Voice Interactive

THERE will be no Eid celebrations at Kings Park this year after after the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority rejected a request from the WA Islamic Centre for a last-minute reprieve.

The decision brings to an end a trouble-free 19-year Eid Festival tradition that is enormously popular with local families. The authority refused the application for a 2000-people Eid-al-Fitr celebration at the Saw Avenue picnic area, based on capacity for the area being 500.

Kings Park hosts a number of events each year that cater for thousands of people.

BGPA chief Mark Webb says the community event has outgrown the picnic area and could create parking and traffic problems: “For many years the BGPA has supported Eid events being held in Kings Park,” he says. “However, the increase in attendance at Eid events at the Saw Avenue picnic area now significantly and consistently exceeds the capacity of that site.

“These factors include the capacity of the requested site, intended use, available facilities, whether there will be any pedestrian, parking or traffic issues, and likely impact on other park visitors.

“The BGPA has consistently said that it will consider an application for an Eid event in Kings Park that complies with all necessary terms and conditions, including the capacity of the nominated site.”

The BGPA estimates 4500 attended Eid-al-Fitr and 4000 attended Eid-al-Adha in Kings Park last year.

Islamic Centre member Tarek Morghem says organisers have tried for three years to address traffic and parking concerns raised by the BGPA.

The WA office of multicultural interests, which is said to be helping the WA Islamic Centre find another venue for the August 8 celebration, didn’t get back to us.

The event is organised by the Maylands branch of the WA Islamic Centre.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK