Qld Health officials reportedly were awaiting COVID safe plan before festival was postponed

Thousands of partygoers have been left in the dark after a music festival set to feature some of Australia’s most popular artists was postponed just days out from the event.

Thousands of partygoers have been left in the dark after a giant Brisbane music festival, featuring some of Australia’s most popular artists, was postponed just days out from the event.

Organisers announced on Wednesday Wildlands Weekender – a two-day music festival at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds where the likes of The Veronicas were set to perform – would be rescheduled.

The decision was made after organisers reviewed “the ever evolving health and safety requirements, border restrictions and recent COVID outbreaks”.

But people from around the country, who had bought tickets to the event, were furious with many asking the question why Brisbane could host events such as the AFL Grand Final (29,707 people) and State of Origin (49,155 people) but not a music festival.

Almost 50,000 rugby league fans at Suncorp Stadium for game three of the 2020 State of Origin series in November. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“We have approached this from all angles and tried countless revisions to give all parties the confidence to proceed, however the current imposed health and safety requirements as well as Queensland border restrictions have deemed it impossible for us to operate the event in any viable capacity this March,” Wildlands organisers posted on the festival’s Facebook page yesterday.

“We understand and share the frustration in this news coming so close to the event, however this undesired outcome was only established this week and we have communicated to all ticket holders as soon as we received this information from Queensland Health.”

Popular Australian DJ What So Not (Chris Emerson) was set to be one of the headline acts at Wildlands. Picture: Dylan Robinson

But it is believed officials from the Metro North Public Health Unit were awaiting an updated COVID Safe Event Plan after requesting more information following several meetings with the festival’s organisers.

However, instead of updating the plan, organisers decided to postpone the event.

Organisers declined to respond to these claims, instead remaining with the statement they made on social media.

“We empathise for all tickets holders, our artists and crew who have been preparing for months after such a long hiatus,” yesterday’s post on the Wildlands festival’s Facebook page said.

“The live music industry has been ripped apart by COVID-19 over the last 12 months and this event was to inject millions into the local economy as well as provide thousands of live music workers with much needed work.

“We’re absolutely devastated with this outcome.

“We’re currently moving fast and working with all artists to announce a rescheduled date for the Wildlands Weekender as well as continuing to work with Queensland Health to ensure we have full confidence any rescheduled date can proceed as planned.”

As well as The Veronicas, other popular artists such as DJ What So Not, rapper Chillinit and more were featured in the line-up for Wildlands Weekender.

The Veronicas were also set to perform at the festival.

A Queensland Health spokesman said Queenslanders were enjoying a lifestyle with minimal restrictions, thanks to the COVID safe behaviours residents had followed for the past 12 months.

“Right now, major events and celebrations can be organised under an approved industry plan or a COVID Safe Event Plan,” the spokesman said.

“Whether that’s a music festival, ANZAC Day celebrations, a marathon or Chinese New Year – all events will continue to follow physical distancing rules, collect contact tracing information and have appropriate cleaning and hygiene practices in place.

“We work very closely with organisations to ensure that event organisers can run their events in a COVID safe way, including advising, guiding, and assisting all organisations to ensure their COVID safe plans protect Queenslanders.

“We follow the same process with all organisations who submit plans, and will continue to do so in future.”

Wildlands organisers said more information would be released next week but festival-goers who had bought tickets would be entitled to a refund.