May 25 2018 Perth Commissioners need to support Perth Fashion Festival A recommendation to the City of Perth Commissioners to reduce the City’s sponsorship of the Telstra Perth Fashion Festival to $50,000 has been labelled a disgrace by Shadow Minister for Local Government; Culture and the Arts Tony Krsticevic. Mr Krsticevic said the recommendation, a significant reduction when compared to historic funding levels averaging $300,000, was bizarre and short-sighted. “This year, the Perth Fashion Festival will be celebrating its 20th anniversary and it is disappointing the advisers to the City of Perth Commissioners have backed away from the City’s long association with this iconic event,” Mr Krsticevic said. “The festival plays an important role in recognising Western Australia’s local fashion industry and has been the launching pad for many labels and careers in the industry. “It also generates huge exposure and attracts interstate and international tourism. “Last year’s Festival saw an astonishing 59 events, attended by over 10,000 people with input from 179 local, national and international designers and is estimated to have had a direct economic impact of $14.3 million.” Mr Krsticevic said the Government-appointed commissioners needed to put a “please explain” to the council administration as to why they were recommending the cut in sponsorship when the benefits of it were substantial and substantiated. “I am concerned this decision is a reflection of a poor culture entrenched within some parts of the administration of the Council,” Mr Krsticevic said. “The commissioners need to ensure this issue is urgently addressed. “The festival is considered one of Australia’s premier fashion events, attracting many thousands of attendees into the city and the council’s administration is recommending the council walk away from it. “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.”. Fact file: Independent research by Fashion Council of Western Australia in 2016 indicates: · the 2016 TPFF generated a total economic impact of $9.3 million, with 72 per cent of the spend made in the CBD; · 40 per cent of attendees are more likely to shop for retail fashion in Perth CBD as a direct result of attending the Festival; and · for the majority of attendees the sole reason for visiting Perth was to attend the Festival which indicates the expenditure would not otherwise have been made. Media Contact |
