No permit for festival

A place of public entertainment (POPE) permit has not been issued to Beyond the Valley to hold a four day music festival at Lardner Park for new year’s eve.

Lardner resident Helen Case used community question time last week to ask if council had issued a POPE permit for the event.

The application was lodged with council on July 1.

Chief executive officer Helen Anstis confirmed the municipal building surveyor had not supported the application.

Ms Anstis said the decision was based on a number of elements on the submitted proposed event management plans.

“The applicant can seek to appeal this determination and does not prevent another application being made prior to the event.

Ms Case said they had been advised by the Environment Protection Authority that its officers will have discussions with Baw Baw Shire in relation to Beyond the Valley.

“At last year’s event there was evidence of substantial vibration to homes and excessive nuisance noise to residents up to and over two kilometres away that resulted in (some of) them being relocated at the Mercure Hotel during the event.

“In light of this, will Baw Baw Shire advise whether it will be either recommending, or locating their own monitoring stations in locations other than just on the boundaries of Lardner Park given that sound bounces and travels,” Ms Case asked.

Ms Anstis said noise generated from a commercially operated site was a matter for the EPA to ensure it was managed in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements.