The organisers of Highlands, a new music festival previously set to debut in an undisclosed location in the rolling hills of Yea, recently took to Facebook to announce the sad news that their event had been cancelled.
Yes, it appeared that the cronies at the council had cracked down on them, raining on their parade and spoiling their party, which was to feature appearances from international guests such as Awesome Tapes From Africa.
“Incredibly sad news,” Highlands organisers write. “This evening Murrindindi Shire Council issued us an absolute last-minute application for an enforcement order at The Melbourne Magistrates Court, threatening us with fines of up to $180,000 if we go ahead with our little party.”
“Needless to say we are devastated to state we must cancel the event as planned. Deeeeeeeep and sincere apologies for the disappointment to all of you. As with everything we ever do, there has been powerful community support behind this event.”
“We have been absolutely blown away with all the love and no one is more gutted than us, to let you all down.” Organisers add that they will instead host a 24-hour party at Lounge on Sunday featuring “as much of the lineup we can fit”.
It’s always upsetting when a local council interferes with a music festival, particularly if that interference results in the event being cancelled, but as Tone Deaf soon discovered, Highlands organisers didn’t give council much of a choice.
According to a Murrindindi Shire Council media release put out earlier this month, Highlands Music Festival was totally unsanctioned and “organisers of the event have not had any contact with Council, despite the need to comply with a range of regulations to allow an event to be held”.
“The internet and mobile phone technology make illegal music festivals such as the planned Highlands event easy and quick to organise,” council writes. “Organisers deliberately don’t divulge their identities and only reveal the location at the last minute to those who have purchased tickets.”
“This event follows a similar pattern to those held elsewhere in Victoria, in that they are planned in secret, presumably in an attempt to avoid having to seek permits and possibly to increase the allure of the event for those who might attend.”
Incredibly sad news…This evening Murrindindi Shire Council issued us an absolute last minute application for an…
Posted by Highlands onWednesday, October 28, 2015
“The vast majority of events in the Shire are held lawfully and organisers work with Council officers in obtaining the relevant permits and meeting the conditions of those permits,” said Murrindindi Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Margaret Abbey.
“Those permits are intended to ensure the effects and consequences of events of this type for local residents and surrounding properties are taken into account.”
“Illegal events are not bound by the conditions which are required by Council such as noise restrictions, traffic and waste management, temporary structure permits and risk and safety measures including public liability insurance and emergency management plans.”
“The recent unseasonably hot and dry weather is also of concern in this regard; if a fire was to break out, there will be no measures in place to help manage the number of people who might need to be evacuated.”
“Council is very happy to provide support and assistance to organisers who want to hold events lawfully in our communities. We don’t want to be seen as the fun police. Council encourages events and tourism in our Shire.”
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“But we do want these events to be safe, manageable and to ensure we take into account the impacts on all in planning these events. This serves as a reminder to the community about the need for Council permissions when organising an event.”
“We urge anyone planning an event to contact Council as soon as possible to determine whether any permits are required. Any organisers who hold events without meeting the requirements of Council and other agencies such as VicRoads and Victoria Police will be investigated.”
“This can result in having the event shut down and organisers as well as land owners are also likely to face prosecution, hefty fines and risk a criminal conviction. As was the case of a similar music festival held in Taggerty some years ago.”
According to the release, council is working with the local police to find out more about the Highlands event and is urging any community members with information to contact Council’s Planning Unit on 5772 0333.
