Perth Fashion Festival faces slashing of City of Perth funding

Perth Fashion Festival is facing the prospect of having its funding from the City of Perth slashed with a recommendation to significantly reduce the events funding going before the City Commissioners on Tuesday night.

The organisers of the annual event say they are extremely disappointed at the recommendation of the City of Perth administration to cut funding for the festival’s ‘Fashion Central’ program.

The festival argue that the free daytime runway venue is a proven platform to showcase the City’s current retail offering drawing people into the City and stimulating retail, food and beverage spend and enhancing perceptions of the City as a vibrant fashion destination.

The festival, which is now in its 20th year, faces a funding cut of $200,000 under the proposal to be considered. The festival has requested $275,000 from the City of Perth, but staff are only recomemnding a contribution of $50,000.

Opposition spokesman on Culture and the Arts Tony Krsticevic has labeled the proposal a “disgrace”.

“In these tough economic times, the many retail shops, restaurants, bars and cafes which represent a key proportion of the City’s ratepayers rely on these events to activate the City and draw in business,” Krsticevic said.

Fashion lovers have launched a petition on change.org to show support for the event being funded.

OIP Staff