The cancellation of the Folk, Rhythm and Life music festival has resulted in a loss of over $110,000 in ticket sales. Organiser and founder Hamish Skermer announced the decision to cancel the event, which was scheduled for December 5 to 7, 2023, after the Rural City of Wangaratta denied the necessary permits. The council cited concerns raised by emergency services, particularly the Country Fire Authority (CFA), regarding safety and fire risk as the primary reasons for the rejection.
Skermer’s festival had already sold more than 500 tickets before the council’s decision was made public. In light of the cancellation, he has opted to refund all ticket holders. “I’m suggesting there’s been undue pressure by the regional CFA,” Skermer stated, asserting that the CFA had not provided feedback and had ceased communication with him.
The CFA’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Stewart Kreltszheim, explained that the authority raised concerns surrounding fire safety, emergency access, and crowd safety during the fire danger period. “The CFA has expressed concerns about the location and the timing of the event,” Kreltszheim noted in a statement.
Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant acknowledged the impact of the decision on the community. “It wasn’t a decision we took in isolation,” she said, emphasizing the collaboration with the CFA and police to seek the best outcome for the festival. The mayor highlighted that the event, which has been running for nearly 30 years, typically draws hundreds of attendees to the region.
Despite recent rainfall of 28 millimetres at the site, concerns remain about the forecast, which predicts maximum temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius on the day of the event. Grant expressed her commitment to working with festival organisers and relevant authorities to find a solution that could allow the festival to proceed in the future.
Skermer is now seeking intervention from the Victorian Arts Minister and the Emergency Services Minister to address the situation. He plans to submit a freedom of information application to obtain documents related to the CFA’s assessment and the council’s decision-making process.
The controversy surrounding the festival’s cancellation underscores the challenges faced by event organisers in navigating local regulations and safety protocols, particularly in regions vulnerable to bushfire risks. As discussions continue, the community remains hopeful for a resolution that may allow this beloved annual event to return next year.
