THE state coroner has recommended changing the way music festivals held on private property are regulated after the death of a woman in Rochester in 2014.
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Katie Louise Broadbent, 35, from Yarraville, died at a small music festival on Australia Day last year when her boyfriend’s friend, John Forbes, 24, reversed his car into her tent after drinking heavily and taking drugs.
Delivering his findings into Ms Broadbent’s death, state coroner Ian Gray urged Victoria Police to review and more broadly adopt a “planning guide for entertainment events” it has developed in response to deaths at other festivals. Such action, he said, would “improve liaison between festival organisers and police”.
The coroner also recommended the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning review festival regulations and consider making it compulsory to separate camping and parking areas.
Councils, Judge Gray said, should be required to consult with police upon receiving a public entertainment occupancy permit application.
No permits, however, were obtained for the “2014 Milky Bar Beats from the Teats” festival where Ms Broadbent died, the coroner said.
“The festival took place on private property and was essentially unregulated.”
Between 250 and 300 people attended the festival, which was organised by an incorporated association, whose six members included the property’s owner, Tom Acocks.
Festival had ‘no permits’
Attendees of the small music festival held in Rochester were told driving was not allowed onsite, before a car struck and killed Ms Broadbent, the coroner found.
Equally, organisers had not obtained permits to hold the event on private property and as a result, missed out on information that could have helped them better manage traffic, the coroner said.
“The House Rules stated, among other things, that no driving was allowed on the property. Guests were told to keep their cars parked once they entered the site, to walk up to the party and to remove their keys from the ignition,” Judge Gray found.
But the “essentially unregulated” festival – which attracted some 250-300 people, many of them friends of the organisers – went ahead without approval from the council.
“The Campaspe Shire Council, Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority and Ambulance Victoria were not informed or consulted about the music festival and there were no permits issued allowing the festival to take place on the property,” Judge Gray said.
Organisers had provided no lighting or security presence in camping or parking areas, the coroner added.
“Had a planning permit been obtained for the event, the Shire of Campaspe could have included permit conditions relating to parking and traffic management designed to ensure the safe management of traffic at the event,” a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning spokesman said, according to the coroner.
Mr Acocks owned the property on which the festival was held. He pleaded guilty to using the land in contravention of the Campaspe Planning Scheme and was fined $7000.
Mr Forbes pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and was given four years’ jail with a non-parole period of two years.