A three-day music festival that has been held at Mount Egerton since 2011 has been granted a planning permit after Moorabool councillors said they were satisfied with an improved fire safety plan.
Daniel Camilleri, of applicant Inca Roads, applied for a permit to hold a music festival at a property on Yendon-Egerton Road from November 29-December 1.
The festival, featuring funk, electronica, folk and rock music, had previously been held without a permit.
The application was in limbo following a council meeting on September 18, at which applicants were told they would need to revise the application.
Cr Paul Tatchell said while the festival was a great addition to the community, more stringent fire safety regulations were required.
Under the revised plan approved last Wednesday night, the festival must be cancelled if it falls on a day or days of total fire ban.
It was also recommended that Inca Roads invite neighbours adjoining the site to attend, which Mr Camilleri said he was “more than happy” to do. No more than 650 patrons can attend, and all must be members of the non-profit music organisation. Live music must also cease by midnight.
Six objections were heard at last week’s meeting, with several residents pleading with council to reconsider its decision.
Kathleen Littlejohn, who lives on Yendon-Egerton Road, said that loud noise and light pollution had kept her awake.
Gaylene Martin, who also lives near the site on Sullivans Road, said the council should think twice because none of the applicants lived in the area.
“Since I heard in July they were planning another festival I haven’t been able to sleep at night and have lost weight from worry,” she said, adding she moved to Mount Egerton to “escape the noise and parties of suburbia”.
But Katie Proksa, who also lives nearby, said she felt comfortable for her four children to attend. “I was concerned initially, but we discovered for ourselves it was very organised, safe, and there was plenty of security.
‘‘I didn’t see any drug use, drunks or inappropriate behaviour,” Ms Proksa said. “Quite the opposite.”
