AFTER roughly a decade of waiting, performers will soon have a permanent stage at the village green in Port Fairy.
A concept design has been finalised and construction drawings are now being completed before quotes for the stage will be sought.
Developed in consultation with the Port Fairy Folk Festival and informal talks with Moyneyana representatives, the stage will measure 11 metres wide, eight metres deep and 700mm high with an access ramp at the rear.
Moyne Shire chief executive David Madden said the stage would be an asset to the community.
“When you look at the number of events that take place during the year — the Folk Festival, Spring Music Festival, Moyneyana, Freeza concerts and much more — this is going to help bring a lot of enjoyment to people,” Mr Madden said.
“A permanent stage will eliminate the need to set up and dismantle scaffolding for these events and the associated costs and labour.
“With properly installed electricity the stage will improve both convenience and safety,” Mr Madden said.
He hoped the green would be utilised more often after the stage was built.
A total of $60,000 was set aside in the 2012/13 budget and the council is confident the stage will be constructed within that amount.
After years of discussion the concept of a stage on the green was raised again as part of the Port Fairy Railway Place Precinct Plan.
Port Fairy Folk Festival committee member Ian Wood supports the construction of a permanent stage.
“I think it’s been long overdue, the green has certainly suffered without a stage,” he said. “There is a lot of activity on the village green.
“It will get a lot of use.
“A lot happens during summer as well and it’s not only good for the Folk Festival, it’s good for the town.”