A council has refused to green-light an upcoming dance music festival leg amid concerns about drugs, alcohol use and traffic offences.
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On Monday, Mitchell Shire Council refused to grant permission for this year’s Earthcore, an annual event held in Pyalong since 2013.
Senior Sergeant Chad Garcia used a submission to council to argue against approving the 2017 event, citing concerns about drugs, crime, traffic and police ability to provide enough resources at the venue.
Senior Sergeant Garcia said drug use, while not openly promoted, appeared to be accepted and widely used by festival attendees.
He was also concerned about traffic, not only because of alcohol and drug drivers but because of motorist’s access to the site on roads he felt were unsuitable for large events.
In refusing to consent to the 2017 event, the council said the proposal was received late, didn’t include required information and was for different dates submitted the previous year when applying for a permit.
“Even if council did have authority to grant the request, it would be refused due to significant concerns about patron safety, illegal drug use, traffic management, security and noise that have not been addressed,” a statement on the council’s website read.
Festival organisers were contacted for comment.