A public tribute to recognise one of Melville’s biggest celebrity claims to fame will not go ahead due to cost concerns and questions over relevance.

Councillors voted last year to ask City of Melville staff to look for suitable locations for a permanent public tribute to AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott.

This included the naming of a local landmark — such as Bon Scott Boulevard — or public artwork.

There were plans to engage local schools and artists to co-design the tribute, and communicate with Scott’s estate and management.

But city officers recommended councillors vote not to proceed with the feasibility assessment for the tribute, and write to AC/DC’s representatives and Scott’s estate manager to inform them of the decision.

This passed 7-6, including an amendment from councillor Karen Wheatland to request council “remain open” to future opportunities to recognise Scott’s connection to the city.

An officer’s report said about 200 staff hours would be required for the feasibility study, which would cost about $15,000. Specialist consultant costs for public art and tribute advice would be an additional $10,000.

The actual tribute itself was estimated to range between $150,000 to more than $500,000 depending on its scale.

Cr Wheatland said she understood the financial need to pause the feasibility study, but because the singer spent part of his youth in Melville and was laid to rest within city, he deserved to be recognised.

“He used to sleep on couches in Applecross, he used to frequent the Raffles Hotel, it was the favourite venue of the band he was in at the time,” she said.

“I didn’t want this to be the end of (a possible tribute) . . . consider the connection and the opportunities it will bring to the people in the City of Melville.

“This amendment is not asking us to spend a truckload of money, it’s just asking us to — where there are appropriate opportunities — to recognise that connection. It’s not solidifying anything, it’s keeping the door open.”

Another amendment from Cr Wheatland that the city continue considering future opportunities to recognise Scott through “naming, place-making or other suitable civic initiatives” lost 5-8.

Cr Jennifer Spanbroek said there were more recognisable people with Melville ties the city could acknowledge, such as former AFL star Glen Jakovich, Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh, comedian Joel Creasey and actor Heath Ledger.

“I think we need to be more parochial and keep it to people who have real connections, stalwarts within society even community members who have actually spent umpteen amount of volunteer hours and really put in effort into the City of Melville before we consider someone who wasn’t even born in Australia,” she said.

City officers suggested using the future opening of the Library Museum and Arts Centre to construct an exhibition or interpretive display celebrating Melville’s broader rock music history, including Scott’s legacy.