Angry posts and comments were aimed at the City’s newly elected mayor Greg Milner who was believed to be responsible for the decision. However, Mr Milner took to Facebook to share that he had not been consulted. “I have been informed that last week, City officers took the decision not to grant a further trade permit for sale of alcohol at the StrEATs festival,” he wrote. “That decision was made without reference to myself or any elected councillor.” An email sent to South Perth StrEATs coordinator Graeme Windle revealed it was City of South Perth chief executive Geoff Glass who had directed environmental health officers to stop issuing Trading Permits for vendors organised to sell alcohol for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.

The email read: "please be advised that the city has received a complaint in relation to the Occasional Liquor Licence/selling of alcohol at the South Perth StrEATS program." It said the city would not support or permit any further Liquor Licences or alcohol sales for the event. “We have not been informed about the nature of the complaint or given an opportunity to address any issue,” Mr Windle said. “We don’t want to become embroiled in any political intrigue between council and any particular business.” Crafted Events owner Daniel Sterpini, who ran the successful pop-up bar last year, said the event was something the public always looked forward to.

“It’s a small event, but it’s a great event,” he said. “Things like StrEATs, that are new and exciting, are always embraced by the community because it’s something they’re proud of. “The food program is amazing itself but introducing the licensed area last year just raised it to another level because it gives families the opportunity to socialise over a glass of wine with kids in tow.” Mr Sterpini said he was set to return with another pop-up bar space this year, but had to miss out the first month because of prior commitments.

However, despite having a Special Facility Liquor License and alreading obtaining approval from the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor to run the bar again, Mr Sterpini said he was unable to continue his services without a trading permit issued by the council. “I provided the pop-up bar services all summer last year and there were no problems or incidents at all,” Mr Sterpini said. “It was extremely popular with the community, not only because of the bar, but because of the infrastructure and lighting that we provided. We’d usually bring enough seating for 80 people and about 100 metres of festive lighting with us. “So with this decision, you’re not just losing beverages but you’re also losing the infrastructure and atmosphere that we provide for people.” A petition to grant South Perth StrEATs a season-long permit to serve alcohol has already received more than one thousand signatures in two days.

The South Perth community called for the council to support businesses that encouraged members of the wider Perth community to come and enjoy a drink with dinner along the foreshore. Mr Sterpini warned people would likely bring their own alcohol to the event. Mr Milner said he would ask council, as well as the city’s administration, to find an appropriate solution to the problem which would allow people to enjoy a drink at the StrEATs festival. Mr Sterpini said it was clear the City of South Perth needed to start listening to its people. “It should be more than just one person’s vote,” he said.