Festival thrown funding lifeline

The North West Festival was thrown a lifeline at a Town of Port Hedland meeting last week, after councillors approved $150,000 of funding for the event.

The festival has become a bugbear for Hedland councillors, who have been divided over the festival since last October.

As Councillors had twice rejected releasing $500,000 to fund the North West Festival three-day music event, Town staff this month recommended reducing the Town’s contribution to $400,000.

However after another a marathon council meeting stretching almost five hours, Councillors negotiated the Town’s funding amount down to $150,000 through a series of motions, leaving organiser Sunset events a shortfall of $250,000.

Deputy Mayor Camilo Blanco once again led the charge against the payment, saying the issue had become “an embarrassment to the town and the council.”

Event critics reiterated they were “not convinced” by the festival’s benefits, citing what they claimed were inconsistencies in the 2015 event audit report.

They agreed Sunset events should shoulder more of the risk in the current tough economic climate.

Supporters of the festival were unhappy with the reduced funding amount but said they were grateful not to lose the event entirely.

After much debate Camilo Blanco, Richard Whitwell, Jan Gillingham, Louise Newbery, David Hooper, Councillor Troy Melville and all voted to support the Town’s $150,000 contribution.

Despite being long-term supporters of the festival, Mayor Howett and Cr Julie Arif voted against the reduced funding.

They both voiced concerns over the implications on the scale of the event and corporate sponsorship obligations.

It is still unclear if the Town’s significantly reduced funding commitment will be enough to save the festival.

Sunset Event’s managing director David Chitty said he would meet with Town of Port Hedland staff this week to discuss the implications on event scope and layout.

Ms Howlett said the Town looked forward to working with Sunset events and corporate partners to determine what type of event could now be delivered.

“Officers had recommended a $400,000 commitment which would have seen a similar scale event to previous years across three days with fringe activities,” she said.

“Obviously a difference of $250,000 will have an impact on the scale of the event and this is something that is being worked through.

“There was always an intent to work closely with existing and new funding partners on their contribution towards the event and this will be even more important now.

“We know what an important event it is for our community.”