Festival pulls pin

Extra-hour plans canned

GEELONG’S biggest music festival has canned plans to extend its operating hours.

A Day On The Green lodged an application to expand usage of its site at Mt Duneed Estate last year, including an extension of its operating time by an hour to midnight.

But in a recent amendment, it has pulled the pin on pushing for the extra hour.

It has also relocated its proposed camping grounds — catering for up to 500 vehicles — to the front of the site, near the Princes Highway, after consultation with neighbours.

The application is still aiming to add an extra 2000 people to the venue’s capacity, which would take it to 20,000 patrons.

The City of Greater Geelong is due to hand down a decision on the plans some time after Saturday.

A spokeswoman for Round- house Entertainment, which runs the event, said no one was available to comment on the late changes to the application when contacted on Thursday.

In October, promoter Michael Newton said the estate’s owners understood “positive” changes were important to continue staging big shows.

“It’s a great venue already and any improvements will make it even better,” he said at the time.

Mr Newton said there was also “ample parking available on-site” to cope with an extra 2000 people at its events.

The application comes as A Day On The Green prepares to host legendary rocker Bryan Adams next Friday.

Tickets are still available for the show, which will also feature Daryl Braithwaite and Thirsty Merc as supporting acts. Robbie Williams will hit the stage on March 3 for a sold-out performance, while, on March 11, The Living End and Spiderbait will join the Almighty Monster Line-up.