THE Strawberry Fields Festival has won council support for the next five years, subject to 23 conditions which range from tackling dust to mosquito borne diseases.
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It is the first time in the Tocumwal music and arts celebration’s history that Berrigan Council has agreed to approve the event beyond a year-to-year deal.
“We’re ecstatic,” festival co-director Tara Benney said.
“It’s great to have recognition from the council and community that they’re keen to have us there for the long term.”
The approval, which was ratified at this month’s council meeting, coincides with the festival moving to a new Murray River side property site this November.
It will be on a 300-hectare site on Tuppal Road, having been further west of Tocumwal off the Lower River Road.
Ms Benney said “the bigger, better spot”, normally used for agistment, would allow patron numbers to rise 2000 from the previous maximum of 6000.
“The new site has more open paddocks bordered by a stretch river frontage that provides for safer swimming, not to mention safer camping areas,” she said.
“For example, people won’t have to camp under river red gums.”
Tocumwal Chamber of Commerce Industry and Tourism president Sergio Redegalli was delighted by the deal and new venue.
“Given the new site allows for larger numbers of people, that’s exciting…we certainly understand the significant economic flow-on affects for local tourism and businesses, not just in Tocumwal, but for the whole shire,” he said.
An economic analysis found $1.33 million flowed into the shire last year from the festival.
In approving the five-year bid, the council listed 23 conditions.
They include organisers having plans for a bushfire, noise, security, water safety and traffic control.
Precautions for mosquito borne diseases, given the stagnant water, are also required and the event’s medical team must provide a direct contact to the health authority to enable early co-ordination for a potential mass casualty incident.
Ms Benney acknowledged concerns about drug use but said “there’s not that many things we could be doing that we’re not doing”.
She said wherever thousands of young people gathered, be it Moomba, a grand final or B & S ball, “100 per cent are not going to behave the way you would like” and such “outliers” needed to be managed.
This year’s festival will be the 10th anniversary event and Ms Benney said 80 per cent of tickets had already been sold.
The final line-up will be announced next week, but acts already revealed include Cobram’s Courtney Clarke, a DJ known as CC:DISCO, and the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
