Australia Day will hit a little different this year for those used to lighting up the night in Armadale.
Last year the City of Armadale made the decision to can its beloved festival and fireworks display for 2025 because of the continuation of the Byford Rail Extension construction.
The city said the scale of work planned on the rail line during January meant Minnawarra Park would be out of action.
Armadale’s Australia Day event has been a fixture since 1993.
It is the largest and most popular annual event on the city’s calendar and is one of the few remaining council-run major events on Australia Day.
A range of alternative locations was brought to a committee meeting and then a full council meeting in June.
Top of the list was Champion Lakes – a venue that hosted last year’s Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run.
During deliberations about the relocation of the city’s beloved Scottish festival, it was pointed out that the lake would pose a huge risk.
Ultimately, council agreed those risks could be overcome through signage and having organisations like Surf Life Saving WA present.
And the event was largely deemed a success; visitors respected the ‘no-swimming’ rule at the Highland Gathering. But a lack of venue parking, and an insufficient shuttle bus service did cause headaches.
However, mitigating the risks of 7000m of water edge at an Australia Day festival at Champion Lakes during the height of Summer was a bridge too far for councillors.
“Unlike the lake at Minnawarra Park, which is fully fenced for the Australia Day event, the Champion Lakes water body is too large to be fully fenced, hence there will be access to the water,” shire officers warned.
City officers’ biggest fear was a child drowning on their watch.
“The associated and reputational risk of having such an occurrence connected to a major annual event may have long-lasting impacts on the event, staff and volunteers, and the wider community,” they said.
A compromise was offered which split the city’s celebrations into three smaller Australia Day events. But it was ‘no dice’.
“Council felt the city would be unable to safely recreate the same scale and experience at alternative sites. Maintaining the integrity of the event is paramount, and the city looks forward to hosting our usual event in January 2026,” their statement read.
“Council voiced the potential for reserving the 2025 funds so they can be put towards hosting a bigger and better event to welcome people back to the city centre in 2026.”
The City of Armadale will be holding their usual citizenship ceremony where the 2025 Citizens of the Year will be announced.
They’re also organising a ‘live’ replay of the 2024 concert on their social media site.
Many have been understanding of the city’s difficult decision to cancel this year’s festival and fireworks.
But Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale President Rob Coales was quick to capitalise on the disappointment of those who were keen to celebrate this year’s Australia Day in person.
“Head down to SJ,” he said.
“Rising Sun Tribute to Cold Chisel and Jimmy Barnes are playing at Briggs Park (Mead Street, Byford) on Australia Day from 5pm.
“And it’s free!”
The Angela Rules Duo (from Logie-nominated show Family Rules) and Jessie James will also feature as special guests.
And there’ll be a range of food trucks offering tasty treats.
The shire repurposed $25,000 in funds from their proposed February music events to bolster the offerings at their Australia Day festivities.
Meanwhile, the City of Armadale is already drumming up hype for a “bigger, better event in 2026”.
