Flood won’t stop Toc. festival
The site of the annual Strawberry Fields Festival has been inundated by rising floodwaters, but organisers say the ‘‘show will go on’’.
For the past five years, the annual lifestyle, culture, arts and music festival has been held on private property along the Lower River Rd, Tocumwal.
This year, the extended festival program was approved to run over four days on a larger site with river and beach frontage starting from Thursday, November 17.
Floodwaters have receded enough that council has been able to re-open the Lower River Rd, but some areas are still affected by lingering water.
SFF director Tara Benney said rather than just ‘‘throwing in the towel’’, they’re determined to give patrons and the community what they have promised.
She said committee members have been watching closely as the flood situation unfolded, and continue to monitor river levels daily for potential threats.
She said a back-up venue has been considered as a worst case scenario.
‘‘While there is still time for water to subside, the major flood at Tocumwal did place us at serious threat, given the state of the venue and the risk of further releases from the Hume Dam,’’ Ms Benney said.
‘‘We’ve been working closely with Berrigan Shire Council and our stakeholders on a permit for a back-up venue also on Lower River Rd, which is protected by the flood levee.
‘‘It’s been an extremely stressful process but we have been overwhelmed by the support of locals.
‘‘Tocumwal is very much home to us, and after the tough times so many have experienced over the last week with damage to homes and lost crops, we are doing our best to keep an event here which can bring a lot of positivity and economic benefits.
‘‘We also hope to raise at least $25,000 for our community fund to support flood relief and other local causes.’’
Ms Benney stressed organisers are committed to Tocumwal and are ‘‘working tirelessly’’ to ensure the festival goes ahead as planned.