Perth Voice Interactive

GETTING Telstra on board as a major sponsor has seen gobs of cash flung towards the Perth Fashion Festival, but that hasn’t tempered Perth city council’s generosity. Last year James Limnios wondered if the PCC oughtta look at cutting its funding given Telstra gets the big accolades (and pays the PFF handsomely for the right). But this year PCC staff still want to hand over $313,000—the same as last year’s spend. The organisers wanted $320,000 but PCC staff say “$313,000 is recommended due to budget constraints”. Oily rag, and all that. Organisers reckon last year the PFF generated $61.8 million worth of local and national media coverage. PCC staff reckon it draws in visitors from all over the place, and that bolsters the economy. The final amount will be settled at the next full council meeting.

PERTH city councillors will once again get to vote themselves free tickets to a swanky do. If they hand $8000 of your money over to the WA chamber of commerce and industry’s “City of Light Business Dinner of the Year” each elected member gets a free VIP ticket worth $250. The Perth city council crest also gets emblazoned everywhere and the lord mayor is invited to present an award. City staff reckon it’s worth the spend because “the city’s image will be enhanced through the naming rights of the most prestigious award of the night”. It’ll also mean “networking opportunities for local businesses… [which] assists them in connecting with community leaders including local and state government officials”. Because “community leaders” meandering into shops for a yammer with traders is so old-fashioned and sans canape.

WHILE $313,000 of ratepayers’ cash will go to the Perth Fashion Festival and $100,000 looks to be headed towards the Hopman Cup, Perth city council staff reckon there’s no money to sponsor a conference on affordable housing. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute asked for $16,500 for a conference that intends to highlight the PCC’s pioneering Penny Lane (the first affordable housing project built by a council in Australia) as an example of how to do it right. But staff say “timing” issues means there’s not cash budgeted for it, and have recommended refusal. Councillors on the finance committee want to see it go ahead and reckon there’s money to spare in the corporate sponsorship budget. They hope to win over the rest of the council at the next full meeting.

THE ever popular Awesome Arts festival for young ’uns looks due to score another $100,000 from Perth city council this year. The Awesome International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things has had near-universal acclaim in previous years, scoring a 97 per cent approval rating for its arts, theatre, music and new media events held over the school holidays to keep kids busy. Now in its 19th year, the 14 day festival will be on in October’s holidays.

A BIG Christmas spend is in the works with the PCC lining up a couple of hundred grand for a decorative architectural projection on the GPO building and $85,000 for two Christmas trees for the next few years. A 12-metre tree’s planned for Forrest Place along with a wee one for council house, while the projection will see a colourful tableau splashed across the post office.

by DAVID BELL