City of Rockingham cancels Performance in the Park event over heat and licensing concerns

February’s extreme heat and a last-minute licensing concern forced organisers to abandon a free family-friendly performance of The Little Mermaid in Rockingham. The City of Rockingham cancelled the February 18 Performance in the Park event, a staging of children’s favourite The Little Mermaid at Village Green. Rockingham mayor Deb Hamblin said staff became aware late on February 16 that it was highly likely a total fire ban would be declared for the event day, banning the use of generators. “The total fire ban was subsequently declared on Sunday and would have required an extremely late cancellation with minimal time to communicate that news to the community, resulting in many families coming to the venue for no reason,” she said. A last-minute query over licensing also contributed to the decision. “The licensing concern related to a late enquiry the city received about the type of licence that was held for the version of the performance that was planned,” Ms Hamblin said. “The city was in contact with the relevant agencies but was unable to obtain final clarification about the matter by late on the afternoon of Friday 16 February. “Weighing the cumulative risk factors led to the unfortunate but necessary decision to cancel the performance in time to provide sufficient notice to the community.” Ms Hamblin said the event was not being rescheduled. However, the city’s Symphony on the Green concert went ahead on February 17, with the annual event recording its biggest audience yet. Crowds filled Village Green to hear the WA Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Jen Winley and supported by soloists Solomon Pitt and Melissa Erpen, perform well-known songs from hits by ABBA and Queen, to favourite tunes from films such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Grease.