A MELVILLE resident has spoken out against a tribute to legendary AC/DC rocker Bon Scott, saying ratepayers shouldn’t foot the bill. 

Con Abbott has spent the past two weeks researching a statue that graces Scott’s birthplace of Kirriemuir, Scotland, where it was erected in 2016 after a crowdfunding effort raised the equivalent of AU$93,000. 

At this month’s council meeting, councillors elected to “begin investigations” into a physical tribute to Scott, who spent his later childhood in and around Melville and Fremantle. 

Mr Abbott says he’s “not opposed” to the tribute itself, but that the cost should not be passed onto ratepayers through City costs. 

“I have a traditional view of councils, which is they should focus on roads, rubbish, recreation, and reserves, the four Rs…I don’t see this fitting within their core business,” Mr Abbott said. 

“We’ve had a 4 per cent increase in rates which is above inflation, and I think if you’re going to [do that], you’d like to think there is a community purpose to drive that, not simply that somebody on council decided that they’d like to have a statue of a rock star.” 

In an email to residents last month, the City of Melville says the tribute could range from anything between “the naming of a park, performance space, or public artwork”. 

The City also says it will be exploring possible opportunities for the tribute to fit into its Tourism Plan. 

Mr Abbott says a tribute would be “relevant” to the area, but is critical of the City’s suggestions, saying the acknowledgment “looks like another vanity idea” rather than operating within local government remit. 

“Let’s be fair, this guy was the lead singer of a rock and roll band, not a former city librarian, so the concept of a park is pretty bizarre,” Mr Abbott said. 

“That’s for city librarians and former mayors… someone of that nature doesn’t need parks.

Crowdfunding

“It only sounds like $100,000, but can that money, including management time, be better and more effectively spent?”

Mr Abbott says a crowdfunding effort similar to that in Scotland would be more suitable for a tribute which the City “should be facilitating, not funding”. 

“If fans had come up to them and said, ‘we’d love to do something, will you help us?’, that’s a different kettle of fish… supporting the fans of the late rocker I don’t see an issue with, because the City is playing a facilitating role,” he said. 

“There’s a difference between people going to council and wanting something facilitated and supported but not funded, and the council walking into a meeting and saying ‘we’d love a statue’.” 

Melville mayor Katy Mair says there is “currently no plan” for a full statue or monument, reiterating the Council decision was not to make a tribute but to “acknowledge the cultural significance” of Scott, and to request the CEO prepare a report about a “permanent civic tribute” considering community engagement and potential cost. 

“The City of Melville is currently at the initial report stage of this proposal… the report will be written by officers and managed within current workloads, as such their actual or opportunity cost in writing the initial report,” Ms Mair said. 

“Council will first consider the information provided in the initial report before determining whether to proceed with the feasibility assessment of the proposal, which will include information on potential costs, resourcing requirements, funding sources, partnership opportunities, and other considerations to support the delivery of the project. 

“Only after careful consideration of the feasibility assessment will Council determine whether or not to proceed with the proposal.” 

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER