THE future of the two-year-old Altona Beach Festival is in doubt after Hobsons Bay Council last week voted to develop a new strategy for events and festivals.
Wetlands ward councillor Luba Grigorovitch said festivals could benefit the community if run properly, but the council had made mistakes.
“I think it’s important for us as a council to learn from our mistakes,” she said.
“I believe there were some mistakes in the past with events and festivals, and a strategy like this will only improve and give us a clear vision and a way forward.”
Cherry Lake ward councillor Tony Briffa said it was hoped the beach festival would continue.
In 2010, the council took control of the Bayside festiva, changing its name to the Altona Beach Festival, shortening it from three days to one, and moving it from Cherry Lake to the foreshore.
Operation Recreation president and former festival organiser Therese McKenney-Campbell, had told the Weekly after the November council election that her group had been just about to wind up but would hold off due to the “shake-up on council” after the election at which Cr Briffa’s support base was lost among fellow councillors.
Last week, Ms McKenney-Campbell said she did not want to see Altona’s festival “go down the gurgler”. “Let’s say I wouldn’t be pleased that Altona wouldn’t have a festival. But it’s always been on the cards to have it every second year, like they have one in Williamstown and [then] one in Altona.
“It would be sad if council didn’t look at funding a community festival.’’
