WASO movement

THE WA Symphony Orchestra will not have far to move when it shifts house in 2004.

A $20 million plan to house WASO at a refurbished and expanded Perth Concert Hall was this week given in-principle support by Arts Minister Sheila McHale.

The plan, put forward two weeks ago by the City of Perth, involves an extensive refurbishment of the main concert hall and the construction of a 600-seat theatre and recital hall.

The proposal will be funded by the City of Perth, which has committed $4 million to the project and two $8 million grants from the State and Federal Governments.

Ms McHale favoured the city’s proposal over a $24 million proposal put forward last year by the University of WA, which would have seen WASO move to the Crawley campus and the creation of a Music Access Centre.