BULOKE shire and Wimmera residents have thrown their support behind a ‘bush doof’ in Donald, despite similar events being shrouded in drug controversy and overdoses. 

Esoteric, a three-day festival, will run in Donald across the Labour Day weekend from March 11 to 13. 

More than 77 per cent of Wimmera residents who responded to an online poll said they would welcome the ‘bush doof’ to Donald. 

Only 19 per cent of people said it shouldn’t be allowed in the Wimmera town, with 3 per cent of people unsure.

Buloke chief executive Lucy Roffey said the festival would benefit not only Donald and the shire but the Wimmera as a whole. 

The festival’s planning permit allows it to host up to 15,000 people, although Ms Roffey believes capacity will not be reached. 

“People travel through other towns and it might bring a broader benefit to the region,” she said.

“People will be coming into the area, spending money in cafes and shops, all festivals have economic benefits.”

Regional ‘bush doofs’, like Rainbow Serpent in Lexton, have reported numerous drug overdoses and arrests in recent years.

Ms Roffey said emergency services including police were aware of the event but no emergency service organisations had expressed any concerns to her about the festival. 

She said the planning has been extremely thorough and the festival lead up should run smoothly. 

“All emergency services are aware of the festival and have a copy of the plans,” Ms Roffey said.

“St Johns Ambulance will be on site. 

“Plans have been very comprehensive.”

Ms Roffey said with only days to go before the festival started preparations were being finalised. 

She said medical and fire management plans were in place.

“It’s been very well planned,” she said.

“This weeks we’ll be conducting the checks to make sure everything said in the plans happens.”

- The Wimmera-Mail Times