Music event falls foul of local farmers

OTWAYS farmers have rallied in opposition to a new site for Falls Festival, which is yet to receive planning approval despite releasing tickets for sale.

Impacts on cattle at neighbouring farms and a culturally-significant site nearby the proposed festival location are key concerns for Colac Otway Shire councillors, who have asked for more information before deciding on the permit.

But organisers insist the event would deliver a net benefit for the surrounding area, including for local businesses and community groups.

Objectors and supporters presented to Colac Otway Shire councillors last week at a submissions hearing.

Falls is planning to move to a property at Murroon, between Forrest and Birregurra, from this summer after waving goodbye to its traditional Lorne home.

The shire’s consultation process received just one letter of support and 22 objections, most of which were from owners of directly-impacted farms.

“We’ve heard all about the businesses that are going to benefit from this. But my business is farming,” Gerangamete farmer Chris Roberts said in his submission.

“How is this going to affect us, and what are we going to get out of this festival going forward? I don’t know.”

Farmers expressed concerns that noise and light from shows could disturb their livestock, especially pregnant cattle and their newborns during calving season, causing death, injury or weight loss ahead of the region’s largest annual cattle sale that is usually in early January.

Other common concerns included traffic impacts on narrow rural roads and potential biosecurity risks from stray rubbish.

But the proposal found support from its nearest town, Birregurra.

Birregurra Football Netball Club president Mick Paddick said helpers could rake in tens of thousands of dollars of much-needed funds for club infrastructure upgrades.

Meanwhile, Birregurra General Store owner Steve D’Acunto also backed the festival, and suggested forming a committee to fairly distribute the estimated $25,000 contribution from organisers to the local community.

Jessica Ducrou, from applicant Ash Sounds, predicted a quarter of the festival’s economic output, or $5 million, would benefit local businesses through staff costs, goods and services, food and accommodation.

Ms Ducrou also defended the organiser’s record in delivering major events in farmland areas, including Falls’ former iteration at Lorne and Splendour in the Grass near Byron Bay.

The council voted to receive more information on noise impacts to cattle and investigate whether a cultural heritage management plan through Registered Aboriginal Party Eastern Maar was required before deciding on the permit at a future planning meeting.

“Hopefully this will allow the council to provide answers to these issues,” Cr Stephen Hart said.

Falls organisers started ticket sales for its Victorian site, dubbed “Pennyroyal Plains”, earlier this month for a December 29 start.

The application is for a five-year permit to host its four-day New Year’s festival, which would start at 25,000 patrons before ramping up to 35,000 in coming years – about double its Lorne capacity.

Falls announced its intention to shift its Victorian home in November last year after a tumultuous period; the festival shifted to Mount Duneed in 2015-16 and cancelled on day one in 2019-20 due to bushfire risk, while the 2021-22 event also failed to go ahead because of COVID-19.