Critics told to cool it

THE Gold Coast’s southern councillor has blasted Cooly Rocks On critics for not living in the real world and being “keyboard warriors”.

Councillor Gail O’Neill revved up at festival detractors yesterday after a petition called for organising body Connecting Southern Gold Coast to “stand down” from running it.

Petition backers want it left in the hands of the classic car owners, vendors and musicians who “live and breathe the custom culture lifestyle”.

The petition, launched online, comes hot on the heels of heavy criticism of this year’s festival by stallholders who are chasing refunds and talking about boycotting 2018.

A key part of the criticism followed band cancellations on the Saturday and the axing of stalls on Sunday due to rain.

But Cr O’Neill said Cooly Rocks On critics were not living in the real world and it would likely miss out on council funding if Connecting Southern Gold Coast were not running it.

“The people who have started this petition have no idea how much it costs to put on this festival, it’s over $800,000,” she said yesterday.

Cr O’Neill, a key backer of starting Cooly Rocks On after the similar Winter Sun festival departed in 2010, said council tipped in $66,000 this year and $40,000 she secured in divisional funding.

Tourism and Queensland plus Events corporate ON A WINNER WITH TURF CLUB PLAN sponsorships made significant financial contributions, she said.

“Some criticism was of the expense charged for people to show their cars – well a gun wasn’t held to anybody’s head to show their car, and we had almost 1000 people show their cars,” Cr O’Neill said.

“If it goes back into the hands of volunteers it will not get that council funding. We’ve already tried that model and it didn’t work. It needs to be in the hands of professionals.”

The online petition has 350 signatures, saying people were “tired” of supporting a once iconic and entertaining festival that had been stripped of “any positive atmosphere”.

The petition says a large group of event coordinators, car show organisers and stall coordinators are willing to volunteer to “ignite this festival”.

A City of Gold Coast spokesperson said council would consider the petition once received whilst Connecting Southern Gold Coast managed and retained the rights to the festival.

Connecting Southern Gold Coast CEO Peter Doggett said accommodation in Coolangatta and Tweed was booked out for the event two weeks ago.

Rain cancellations were made in the interests of safety and despite the downpour attendees headed indoors supporting other pubs and venues around the area, he said.

“Tens of thousands of people enjoyed Cooly Rocks On this year as I am sure they will again next year,” he said.

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