Festival torpedoed again by fire risk concerns

The Folk, Rhythm & Life Festival at Eldorado originally set for this weekend has been postponed after council refused to grant a permit. Organiser Hamish Skermer reported that the event had sold more than $100,000 worth of tickets and 51 musical acts were on the bill to perform. Councillors met confidentially to discuss the permit for the event which detailed an amendment for on-site parking as part of their working management plans. The issue was connected to perceived inadequacies with the event's emergency management plan. "Council voted no and the reasons were they had insufficient time to contemplate the change of my parking from off-site to on-site," Mr Skermer said. "We are shocked and supremely frustrated and looking for answers. "The performers are devasted and there are many suppliers in Wangaratta, Hertz, Pacific Hire, Nu Fruit asking what's happened." Mr Skermer questioned the CFA's authority on fire danger matters in a national park that surrounds the Bilyana land. "I believe they have been offering their opinion without the proper authority to do so," he said. "They have refused to come to site to make assessments and they don't want any events in the fire danger period." The decision to have on-site parking was to reduced the costs associated with off-site parking, the latter depending of greater ticket sales. Mr Skermer said he told the CFA and council that on-site parking would be required on 15 September and three other dates if on-site ticket sales were less than 1000. He said a planning permit amendment was submitted on 10 November to detail that on-site parking will be required. "Off-site parking is required when we have up to 2000 people and the numbers this year just didn't warrant the hire of the buses, generators, lighting towers," he said. "I resubmitted a plan that was already approved and this wasn't a new concept. "There was no consultation with us about considering parking off-site because if there had have been we would have said yes." There are $225,000 worth of government grants attached to the staging of the event and these will still be valid as long as the event can be held on another date. "We've been recognised by the federal government under two grants the Revive Live funding and other funding to enhance accessibility to the Bilyana venue," he said. "It will provide accessibility with more ramps to the stages, more accessibility to toilets, to support production including public announcement system and lights." The event was cancelled in 2023 after council issued a notice of decision to refuse a permit based on advice it received from referral authority the CFA. No date has been set for the postponed event. Statement from Wangaratta council The Rural City of Wangaratta has worked with the organisers of the proposed 2025 Folk, Rhythm & Life Festival to support the event planned this weekend. Over the past year council also collaborated with agencies including CFA, Victoria Police, and an independent expert. The process has not resulted in approval of the event plans and council has requested the event organisers to defer the festival. Council’s decision to request a deferral and not approve the event documents are due to concerns about deficiencies within the documentation; inconsistencies between the Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) assessment and the event plans; and concerns raised by emergency response agencies. Council remains committed to working with event organisers and relevant authorities to explore how this festival can be supported in the future. Council recommends Folk, Rhythm & Life organisers work with an independent party to assist with preparing future event plans to ensure they are complete and timely. Irene Grant, Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor, said council actively supports a variety of events within the community and recognises the cultural and economic benefits they bring. "We understand this decision will be disappointing for many, and the organisers in particular," Cr Grant said. "We encourage the event organisers to continue to work with us and other authorities to consider how their events can be supported in future years." The Folk, Rhythm & Life Festival has a long history in Eldorado and council acknowledges its importance to the community and the support the event generates. Council’s decision has been informed by working with the CFA and Victoria Police.

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