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Publish date: 28 February 2025
The Buloke Shire Council has advised the organisers of the 2025 Esoteric Music Festival to cancel the event due to Council officers recommending the refusal of a planning permit based on significant health and safety concerns.
With the Festival’s previous five-year planning permit expiring after the event last year, an application for a new ten-year permit was submitted in September 2024, with approval required to enable this year’s event to be held in Donald from 6 to 11 March 2025.
Insufficiencies relating to the provision and quality of required information resulted in two requests for further information made in October and again in December 2024. A satisfactory response to these requests was not received which delayed the required referrals and public notice to occur.
Despite these delays, ticket sales for the 2025 Festival have continued without the necessary approvals and permits in place.
With the significant outbreak of Shigellosis affecting over 250 Festival goers at last year’s event, and the lack of adherence to previous a Place of Public Entertainment Occupancy Permit (POPE-OP) as well as a current Building Order, Council officers are not satisfied that adequate public health and safety measures are in place to support the granting of a new planning permit.
Council officers have also considered several concerns raised by members of the Buloke Shire Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, consisting of emergency services and health agencies such as the Country Fire Authority, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.
After careful consideration, the Council officers have recommended refusing the application for a planning permit. Legal advice sought has also supported the Council officer’s recommendation.
“We have been working with the event organisers, consultants and various emergency services, since receiving the planning application last year”, said Buloke Shire Council CEO, Wayne O’Toole
“However, our officers are not satisfied that the health and safety concerns in relation to the safe running of the event have been met and are therefore recommending the planning permit application is refused”, he said.
“We understand the impact this decision will have on the event organisers, patrons and the local community, and acknowledge their disappointment but we are also committed to ensuring any event within the shire is safe and compliant”.
An Ordinary Council Meeting has been scheduled for Monday 3 March 2025 to present the recommendation for the refusal of the application for a planning permit to Councillors for consideration. However, even if the planning permit is issued, the organisers will require a POPE-OP, which is likely to also be refused due to similar concerns with the health and safety of patrons.
Media Enquiries: For more information, please contact: Vee Shah on +61 402276796 or email vee@narrativecomms.com.au
Link to the Council Meeting Agenda can be found HERE
Link to the Buloke Shire Council Livestream Channel can be found HERE