Perth Voice Interactive

ONE of the new roads at the Northbridge Link site could be named “Telethon Avenue” at the request of the Seven-West group.

The WA government’s geographic names committee initially rejected Telethon Avenue because it “does not support the use of names of commercial businesses, trade names and non-profit organisations”.

Perth city council staffers agreed, saying “it would set an undesirable precedent… and could give a perceived advantage to Telethon over other registered charitable organisations”.

But Seven Entertainment sent envoy David Read from TPG Town Planning to this week’s planning committee to plead its case.

He argued the GNC’s rule can be set aside if there is a prolonged link to the area—and Seven had long owned the now-demolished entertainment centre, near where Perth Arena now sits (and which opened a year ago this week).

Councillors on the planning committee concurred, saying the name was justified given the historic link and Telethon’s charity work (a cool $130 million donated by viewers for health, research and community projects since 1968).

With the support of lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi, who sat in on the meeting, the committee rejected the staff recommendation and will ask the council to supported the “Telethon Avenue” name.

If the council follows that recommendation, Seven will be able to appeal to the GNC in December.

by DAVID BELL