Elmore locals have mixed feelings about the 2017 Earthcore dance festival

NEWS that dance festival Earthcore will arrive in Elmore in November has received mixed reviews from locals.

While there was agreement that an influx of visitors to town would be good for local businesses, there is concern about the potential for vandalism and thefts.

Elmore IGA owner Lance Mitchell said security around the event was the main issue.

“I’m more concerned about the other side of things, like whether we end up with thefts and that sort of stuff,” he said.

“Not that I think they're a bunch of thieves but you don't really know what's going to happen or what sort of crowd (organisers) are expecting. 

“Security is probably the main issue. We've had broken windows and stuff from previous BnS Balls but that stopped because (organisers) changed the way it is run.”

Mr Mitchell said keeping festival goers on site would help with potential issues.

“Once upon a time (BnS patrons) would sleep in their cars in the street but now they have to sleep on site. It's run a lot differently,” he said.

“They managed it well by kicking them out of town and cutting back on welcoming parties.”

Mr Mitchell was also concerned with the reputation of Earthcore following the death of one festival-goer at the event in Pyalong last year.

The cause of death is yet to be determined, and is still under investigation by the Coroners Court of Victoria.

“What concerns me is if (the Mitchell Shire Council) has banned it, it has been done for a reason,” he said.,

“Now it is coming to our town, so what will it do for our town?”

Mr Mitchell said local businesses were likely to do well from the Earthcore event coming to Elmore.

“As a business I think we will do well out of it. The BnS ball usually buy a few products from us, which is helpful and hopefully this festival does the same (for the town,” he said.

Shamrock Hotel publican Norma Tieman said an influx of visitors would be good for Elmore.

“If it's anything like the BnS, it will be a good thing,” she said.

“The BnS is well-organised and has been going here for a long time. We've had pre-party events here before and had no trouble.

“More people around is always a good thing as far as businesses go.

“When people come in they get fuel, groceries, meals and drinks. They spread themselves around the town and being a little town, it is always nice to have people from outside it come in.” 

The Elmore Events Centre confirmed last Thursday the Earthcore dance festival would be held at the site in Rosaia Road from November 23 to 27.