Uncertainty over future management of Perth Concert Hall

The future of the Perth Concert Hall is reportedly under question with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) competing for the rights to run the venue as of 2015.

City of Perth councillors and staff met recently to assess the future of the venue amid concerns about its programming diversity, its income-generating capacity and how to activate its uninviting public spaces.

The City owns the building and leases it to the Trust, which has managed it as well as other Western Australian Government-owned venues for the past 15 years through private venue manager AEG Ogden.

In April, the Western Australian Government decided to end AEG Ogden's contract and resume direct control of State-owned His Majesty's Theatre, State Theatre Centre and Subiaco Arts Centre.

The Trust has yet to secure a deal to run the Concert Hall on behalf of the City.

Both the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) and the PTT have shown interest in managing the Concert Hall but neither has lodged a formal proposal.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the Council was determining the long-term objectives and performance indicators for the venue, telling the West Australian newspaper "wWe are aware of the PTT timeframe seeking a decision but we intend to fully explore all options and then discuss a where-to-from here approach."

Lord Mayor Scaffidi indicated that management by the PTT and WASA were just two of the potential options for the venue.

The Western Australian Government announced in April that it is to reclaim the direct management of PTT venues including His Majesty’s Theatre, the State Theatre Centre and Subiaco Arts Centre from 1st January 2015. 

12th April 2014 - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TAKES BACK MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR THEATRES