LORNE’S FALLS FESTIVAL UNDER THREAT:

Online survey floats Falls move options

ORGANISERS have refused to say whether Falls Festival will leave Lorne.

There have been reports an online survey floated other venues, including a Melbourne option with no camping.

More than 9000 people were evacuated at last year’s festival due to the bushfire threat and weather conditions.

Other events in Byron, Marion Bay and Fremantle were unaffected.

Secret Sounds Co chief executive Jessica Ducrou told punters to “stay tuned” for news of the event’s future, but declined to comment on speculation.

“We are very interested in what our audience have to say and always take their feedback on board, safe to say we are considering all options at this stage,” Ms Ducrou said.

“The extreme weather and fire conditions along the whole east coast of Australia was unprecedented, we will always put the safety of our patrons and staff first based on the information provided by emergency services.”

In the wake of the festival’s closure last year, she said the event was here to stay.

“Falls Lorne is here to stay and this is our home,” Ms Ducrou said at the time.

“We are gutted to make this call but the safety of our patrons, artists and staff is our main priority.”

A poll posted to the Geelong Advertiser Facebook page showed over 60 per cent would still attend if the festival moved away from Lorne, but almost 40 per cent would miss it.

Commenters paid tribute to the festival’s “top notch” lineup every year,

“At the time of myself voting, 38 per cent of people are clearly confused about the fact Falls (Festival) is a music festival shouldn’t matter where it is if they still provide the top notch line-up, they usually do,” one punter wrote.

Surf Coast shire has refused to say whether it will reconsider granting the event a permit or ask it to change location.

Surf Coast Shire chief executive Keith Baillie said in January the organisers had a “longstanding planning permit and a fire-risk management plan”.

The official festival survey reportedly quizzed patrons about the event’s future, but has since closed.

“We’ve already started planning Falls 2020/2,” the email read. “We have heaps of exciting ideas we’d like to run past you. Whether or not you’ve flown with us before, we want to hear your thoughts.”