10-year permit for music festival
A 10-year permit has been approved for Beyond the Valley music festival at Lardner Park.
Baw Baw Shire Council has supported the use of Lardner Park site as a live entertainment and camping venue.
Conditions placed on the permit will restrict the hours music can be played at the event, which was an hour less than what festival organisers requested for three of the four days.
The four day event is held between December 28 and December 31 each year and attracts up to 25,000 people.
Under the permit conditions, music will begin each day at noon and run until 10pm on day one; 2am on day two and three; and 3am on day four.
The main stage on days two, three and four will be limited to 1am.
The permit aims to manage adverse amenity impacts on adjoining properties, particularly noise; event management, crowd behaviour and litter; and, management of increased traffic in the area.
A number of reports for the event, including, acoustic assessment, emergency and traffic management plans were submitted as part of the application.
The application proposes Beyond the Valley will operate in paddock 11 which incorporates a natural amphitheatre on the northern side of the central dam.
Planners said all infrastructure provided with the event is temporary and is erected prior to and then removed afterwards. On-site camping includes powered and unpowered sites.
There were 30 objections, most of which expressed strong views about the appropriateness of the event having regard to amenity impacts.
Grounds of objection included the changing use of Lardner Park from agricultural events to non-farm uses; the use is incompatible with the rural zone; noise; rubbish; and, loss of residential amenity for neighbours.
Objectors also raised concerns about traffic management, with long queues extending up to five kilometres from the site.
Surrounding residents complained event patrons had used their properties to go to the toilet because of long delays at the event.
Residents cited incidents of patrons trespassing onto their properties and disturbing people in their homes.
A number of local businesses provided letters of support for the event.
The businesses said they benefitted from the annual event through increased revenue, tourism and visitation.
Cr Michael Leaney said it was a case of compromise – “it’s not what the applicants wanted and not what the officers recommended.”
Cr Leaney said the permit was about formalising the space for Beyond the Valley.
He said most licensed venues had extended hours for new year’s eve.
Cr Joe Gauci said each year, when council had to consider permits for this event there was unrest.
He said the permit conditions had been considered in consultation with Victoria Police and emergency services and then council reached a compromise with organisers.
He said traffic management plans would be still considered and updated continuously.
“It’s not just here’s a tick, here’s your permit and away you go,” he said.
Cr Keith Cook said the 10year permit gave certainty to Lardner Park and emergency services who had to plan resources.
Cr Tricia Jones opposed the motion.
She said it was a difficult decision because Ladner Park was a special place in the community.
She said the site had evolved to introduce new activities and events.
“There has been some work done on this but there is sill more to be done.
“This is a time when families are at home and they expect to have a peaceful environment,” she said.
Cr Mikaela Power declared a conflict of interest.