The future of Feastability under review

Wednesday 2 July, 2008 12:02am

IT could be last drinks for Feastability, Newtown's popular food and wine festival.

The mainstreet committee is reviewing the event's future and will make a recommendation to Marrickville Council next Tuesday.

Committee member Stephanie Calkin said Feastability was being assessed against the committee's charter.

This includes fostering economic and cultural development and maintaining Newtown's unique character.

Local businesses contribute money to the program via a special rate levy.

Ms Calkin said when Feastability was started 15 years ago there were no other food and wine festivals around.

"Now it might not be as cutting edge as we might expect from the Newtown area," she said.

"A lot of leading edge stuff comes out of the suburb and they (the committee) are just really looking at ways to reinvigorate it and a more Newtownian way of doing things."

Feastability has been held for the past six years in the grounds of the Newtown Performing Arts High School.

Last year there were 45 stalls and 15,000 people attended. A Marrickville Council report written after last year's event, described Feastability as "one of the most widely attended community events in the area".

Newtown Precinct Business Association secretary Janet Clayton said the festival program for Newtown had to be as attractive as possible for both locals and visitors. This should be bundled and marketed as a package that brands the area as funky, alternative and fringe, she said.

"It may well be that a food festival is an important part of that festival (mix) but it has to be seen in the context of the funds available," she said.

The association will present the results of a study into the Newtown precinct to businesses including a survey of people shopping and visiting the area. It will be held at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre on July 9 from 6pm to 8pm. Details: business@newtownprecinct. com.au

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