Beyond the Valley expected to attract 35,000 punters to the region amid Falls loss

A rival music festival taking place not far from what was to be Falls’ new location is set to garner more attention due to the drama.

Golden Plains Shire has approved an application for a major music festival to be held at Hesse, with the deadline for an objector to appeal looming next week.

A Golden Plains Shire spokesperson said council welcomed the news that the municipality was set to host the Beyond The Valley music festival at Barunah Plains from December 28 to January 1.

Earlier this year it was reported the festival was expected to attract up to 35,000 punters.

“Beyond the Valley event organisers lodged a planning application to council in May,” the council spokesperson said.

“Council received one objection.

“Council issued the notice of decision to approve the application on Tuesday 23 August, 2022 to the event organisers and the objector.

“Following the notice of decision being issued, the objector has 28 days to appeal the decision.

“Council would only become aware of an appeal when notified by (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) VCAT.”

Earlier this year organisers launched a bid to hold the popular festival at Hesse for the next five years.

Beyond the Valley Festival. Picture: Instagram

Beyond The Valley has previously been held in Gippsland, and this year would be its first camping event since 2019’s edition.

Guests can use camping tickets or day passes.

This year, high-profile acts include pop star Nelly Furtado,renowned DJ Diplo, New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee, and electronic duo Flight Facilities.

It comes after plans for Falls Festival to be held near Birregurra this year were thwarted by an appeal at VCAT.

Falls Festival, previously held at Lorne, this week revealed it had been forced to move its December festival from its planned location to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne instead between December 29 and 31.

Organisers said this was due to a delay in securing what was to be its new location in Victoria, due to a small group of objectors launching an appeal against the council approval that won’t be determined until early 2023.

Colac-Otway Shire mayor Kate Hanson expressed disappointment with the news.

Earlier this year the council issued a notice of decision to grant a permit for the Falls Festival to take place at a property in Murroon in December.

Twenty-four objections were received for the application, along with 14 submissions in support of the proposal.

It’s understood concerns were raised regarding impact on animals at local farms and traffic.

Cr Hanson said council was pleased that organisers were still keen to continue to consider the shire for future Falls Festival events.

Falls to be held in Melbourne after failing to secure Birregurra site

Falls Festival has been forced to call off its maiden event at a new location near Birregurra and shift to Melbourne instead due to objections from community members.

The festival will take place at Sidney Myer Music Bowl because of a delay in securing what was to be its new location in Victoria, following years of setbacks for the event.

The delay was due to a small group of objectors launching an appeal against the council approval that would not be determined until early 2023, organisers announced.

John Farnham performing at Falls Festival in Lorne. Picture: Ian Laidlaw

In November, organisers announced the 2022 edition would be held at Pennyroyal Plains and Colac-Otway Shire council granted a permit earlier this year.

Mayor Kate Hanson said council was disappointed for community groups and business owners who were looking forward to an increase in spending in the region this year.

“However we’re pleased that (organiser) Secret Sounds is still keen to continue to consider our shire for future Falls Festival events,” she said.

“Council supported Secret Sounds’ permit application, however some local residents lodged an appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in opposition of the decision.

“The VCAT hearing process will provide for an independent review of these objections.”

She said this process was expected to be concluded early in 2023, in time for the event to be held at the Murroon site near Birregurra next year, should it be supported by the tribunal.

“Council will defend its decision at VCAT ... in favour of the event being held in the shire,” she said.

It’s understood concerns have been raised over issues including impact on animals at local farms and traffic.

Falls Festival expected to attract up to 25,000 people this year.

The festival will be held from December 29 to 31, headlined by Lil Nas X performing alongside the likes of the original Wiggles.

Organisers had not provided further comment about future plans for the festival at time of publication.

Tickets for the Birregurra location will be valid for ‘Falls Downtown Melbourne’.

All camping tickets will be automatically refunded from September 29, the festival posted on social media.

Ticket holders who are not able to attend the new venue can apply for a refund until 5pm, October 13.

Lorne Falls Festival revellers in 2017. Picture: Nicole Cleary

The festival had been held at Lorne since its inception in 1993, but was cancelled after just one night in 2019 because of extreme fire risk.

Annoyed revellers slammed the organisers, saying the call to cancel should have been made earlier to avoid a mass exodus of 9000 people.

It was called off again in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In September 2020, the Supreme Court ordered a $5.7m compensation payout be distributed among 77 patrons injured in a stampede as they tried to exit The Grand Theatre tent at the 2016 Lorne event.

Many patrons feared they would die and developed post-traumatic stress disorder, suffering from extreme “burn-like” grazings, fractured limbs and ACL injuries.

The payout put an end to a long-running class action in the wake of the disaster.

And after the 2015 festival, a sea of tents, mattresses, chairs and camping supplies were abandoned by revellers.

It took about one week for workers to clean-up the Mt Duneed paddocks that were left in an atrocious state, after the festival was moved from Lorne that year due to fire risk.

The event was largely criticised by angry locals and frustrated sustainability groups.

Beyond The Valley has announced it’s set to be held at Hesse between December 28 and January 1.

— with Herald Sun

Originally published as Beyond the Valley expected to attract 35,000 punters to the region amid Falls loss