A festival for nude dudes held on a farm 6km from Tatong will carry on with restrictions after facing down community opposition.
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Eight objections and a petition with 64 signatures was lodged with Benalla Rural City council in November opposing a planning application for January’s NudeManFest.
The population of Tatong at the last census was 350.
In the petition’s summary it said the event, held on the property of NudeManFest founder Kevin Smith, had “proved to be quite traumatic to the community”.
"Naked men have been sighted with flagrant disregard to the public causing embarrassment and discomfort to residents of Tatong old and young alike," it said.
Two other petitions were also submitted railing against two music festivals being held on the same property, primarily because of noise concerns.
Mr Smith said NudeManFest had been run on four previous occasions without a complaint lodged to police or council.
He said there had also been a great deal of support from the Tatong community.
“This is a celebration of male sexuality and sensuality,” Mr Smith said.
“There are far more serious things that need to be looked at than a bunch of guys getting their gear off on their own property.
“The council have been very supportive.”
However, Mr Smith said he did not know he had been required to seek a permit for a public assembly.
The Benalla council approved a permit on November 16 for NudeManFest with 34 conditions.
They included the installation of 1.8m high screens to block areas from public view and limiting attendance numbers to 70.
The petitioners had 28 days to mount a challenge of the decision through VCAT but none was submitted by the December 12 deadline.
Petitioners refused to comment about the festival but The Border Mail understands they were happy restrictions had been placed on the nudity festival.
Victoria’s Summary Offences Act 1966 states a person must not wilfully and obscenely expose the genital area of his or her body in, or within the view of, a public place.
Mr Smith said the scrutiny of NudeManFest was surprising given Benalla held a nude art exhibition and a nude bicycle event last year.
The next NudeManFest event will run from January 21 to 27 and will be followed by a six-day festival in March.
