Cowboy Mac
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2000
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edit: This previous ruling has been overturned!
EARTHCORE VICTORY
Over the past several months Earthcore has been fighting for the right to hold their 3 day festival at Undera after the City of Greater Shepperton refused to issue a permit. The refusal was solely due to GV health's CEO Greg Pullen objecting to the event being held on the same time of another event potentially stretching emergency services at the local hospital to their limits. Today VCAT has given the green light for Earthcore Global Carnival to be held in Undera overturning the council's decision.
This is a victory for Earthcore and the greater Shepperton area on a number of levels:
1. Undera and the greater Shepperton area will receive massive economic flow on effects estimated to be in the region of $2 million . Earthcore is a long standing and professional organisation that follows strong procedures in terms of it's commitment to entertainment, safety and general conduct in all facets of it's operations.
Source
One of Australia's biggest dance music festivals - Earthcore - has
been canned after Greater Shepparton City Council denied a planning
application for the proposed Undera site.
The council's decision to reject the permit comes after weighty
objections from Goulburn Valley Health, which said it could not ensure
adequate medical care to the public during the three-day event, which
is scheduled for the same weekend as the Spring Car Nationals in
November.
The decision has been slammed by Earthcore consultant Pip Darvall, who
said the group was looking at all possible avenues - including an
appeal to the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal - to have the
decision overturned.
Last year, the event was marred by the death of 22-year old Melbourne
man Stephen Henshall and the disappearance of 19-year-old James Oates,
who was found 36 hours after he was reported missing.
The former Earthcore director said the group was also considering a
new venue but virtually ruled out a date change because the event's
success was largely based on reputation.
"It's like Moomba (festival)," Mr Darvall said.
"Moving the date is not that easy."
Mr Darvall - who applied for the planning permit in February on behalf
of Earthcore - said the event had always received great support from
the Goulburn Valley community, and said organisers had worked with
police, ambulance and fire authorities during the past five months to
ensure all parties were happy.
"We had no indication that there was a concern until a few weeks ago," he said.
Yesterday council acknowledged the event provided a boost to the
Goulburn Valley economy, particularly at Undera, and said after being
well organised during the past two years it caused minimal disruption.
But Cr Chris Hazelman said council had a duty of care and upheld the
hospital's objections despite having no objection to the event itself.
"It's disappointing, but we've got to recognise the position of the
hospital and its reduced capacity," Cr Hazelman said.
Drawing attention to the fact the hospital recorded 11 category one
admissions - the most severe emergency rating - during last year's
event compared with a monthly average of six, Goulburn Valley Health
chief executive Greg Pullen said it was too much of a risk.
"We don't object to either (event)," Mr Pullen said.
"But we do object to them being held on the same weekend this year."
The department is currently 20 per cent down on trolley bays and the
medical ward also has a reduced number of beds due to the hospital's
redevelopment.
Yesterday the festival was still listed on the company's website as an
upcoming event.
Source
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