Booming bass drives country folk batty

THEY moved to Peak Crossing to enjoy the beautiful mountain views, the country atmosphere and the peace and quiet.

TURN OFF: A number of Peak Crossing residents are upset about the upcoming music festival to be held at Ivory’s Rock Conference Centre. Picture: David Nielsen

THEY moved to Peak Crossing to enjoy the beautiful mountain views, the country atmosphere and the peace and quiet.

Over the last two years, however, families living within a few kilometres of the Ivory's Rock Conference Centre have found themselves in the midst of an emerging music festival mecca - and they don't like it one bit.

Conflict between residents and the Ivory's Rock Conference Centre goes back for some years, however issues specifically related to live music began to escalate last year, with the Earth Frequency and Andromeda festivals.

During a lengthy meeting with Ipswich City Council's Health, Security and Regulatory Services representatives on Tuesday night, a group of 10 Peak Crossing residents passionately voiced their objections to the Earth Frequency Festival that is scheduled to take place from February 12-15.

The festival organisers have obtained one of two so-called "one-off" council permits required, and are still awaiting a permit for an entertainment event.

The electronic music festival will have four stages and is expect to attract more than 4000 revellers.

Among the most significant issues raised by residents with regards to previous festivals was excessive noise late into the night and early in the morning.

Sabina Stelet said there were other issues relating to trespassing and suspect behaviour of people attending the festival.

"We fear for our own safety. We police our own properties, which is exhausting and stressful," the Peak Crossing mum said.

"It is extremely disappointing and frustrating that council appear set to approve this event again, despite raising our concerns on several occasions with a number of council representatives, over a prolonged period.

"We have been given assurances of compliant festivals before, as with the Andromeda Festival run as a test case by council last October.

"This event failed hands down. I do not believe that The Earth Frequency Festival; which is 25 times larger with 4500-5000 more patrons; will fare any differently, regardless of the conditions imposed by council."

Mayor Paul Pisasale said residents were right to complain about last year's festivals, because council had made a mistake in not providing adequate conditions on the approval.

"We like live music, but you've got to consider the residents. This time around there will be cut-off times and sound levels will be strictly controlled," Cr Pisasale said.

Festival director Paul Abad said the concerns of residents were at the forefront of his mind because he was determined to make the festival a permanent fixture in the Ipswich region.

A Material Change of Use application is before Ipswich City Council, with the hope of transforming the Ivory's Rock Conference Centre into a music festival venue.

"In 2014 there were no complaints whatsoever," he said.

"We became more optimistic for the 2015 festival, the conditions were relaxed and as a result we had a couple of complaints.

"When the applied for a Material Change of Use for the venue we noticed the intensity of the complaints increase.

"As a result we are going to turn the big stages off at midnight and we are going back to the same type of sound system we used in 2014.

"Levels will be monitored throughout the weekend and the sound consultant will attend every night between 10-12pm.

"We have invested a lot into this because this venue is one of the best in Australia.

"It is a unique asset that is underutilised."