Petition launched to restore Pilbara’s North West Festival garners hundreds of signatures in first week

Pilbara residents have launched a petition to let Port Hedland be “known for rock and roll not just rocks” amid calls to bring back the Pilbara’s premier music festival which was canned earlier this year.

The North West Telegraph revealed on August 24 that the popular North West Festival would not be held in 2022 in favour of a food festival.

Since then a petition has been launched, gathering more than 200 signatures within six days of going live.

In the petition description, creator Fiona McDonogh called on local council to bring back the two-day music extravaganza next year.

“The Northwest Festival is an important yearly event which many of us value,” she stated.

Ms McDonogh said signatories wished for the event to return to the size it was when it was first launched.

“Councillors of Port Hedland, we ask that you secure the future of this event and sustainably plan for its continued growth to become the pinnacle event of our event calendar,” she said.

“Let Port Hedland be known for rock and roll not just rocks.”

The North West Festival was launched in 2014 and quickly became the Pilbara’s premier music event with a slew of top bands from across the country performing.

Known for its eclectic music line-up, the two-day weekender has featured well-known artists including Birds of Tokyo, Baker Boy, Spiderbait, and Amy Shark.

Town of Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said he was aware of the petition to bring back the much-loved festival.

“I’m aware there is an online petition that supports the Town’s own view that a music festival is an important part of the annual events calendar for Hedland,” he said.

“Going into 2022, there was still a substantial amount of uncertainty around the ability to put on large events.

“With that in mind, the Town opted to develop a different type of event that was considered more feasible in the COVID-19 environment, and also attracted a broader, community-based market — this was how the Hedland Food Festival emerged as an exciting new event.”

Mr Carter said the Town had every intention of having a music event in the events calendar next year.

“To the organisers of the petition, and those that have signed it, I’d like to assure them that the council is already considering what opportunities there are for a music-based event for Hedland for next year, and into the future,” he said.

“There is every intention to ensure a music event is included within the Town’s events calendar in 2023 and beyond. Whether this is a North West Festival style of event, or an adapted offering, is yet be determined.”