The Drop Festival to return to Manly as part of Sydney Surf Pro
The Drop Festival is set to return to Manly after a development application was submitted to Northern Beaches Council. But festival goers are being warned about the event’s strong stance on illegal drugs.
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The Drop Festival appears set to return to Manly in 2020, with a development application submitted to Northern Beaches Council last week.
Planning documents reveal the event is set to be held at Kierle Park on March 14, with a proposed capacity of 12,000 people.
In 2019 the festival attracted 6000 patrons and was headlined by Australian folk and indie pop sensation Angus and Julia Stone.
A spokeswoman for the festival dubbed it a “success”.
“The local community really supported the event,” she said. “The Drop runs in conjunction with the World Surf League competition circuit and Manly’s Sydney Surf Pro is one of the premiere competition locations.”
The 2020 event will be the third annual tour around Australia with the line up to be announced in coming weeks.
The council has not started the assessment process but the festival is expected to bring mixed public response.
One submission has already been made against the development application.
“We object to this development on the grounds that this is a passive area and should not be used for large crowds. Outdoor concerts also seem to have a drug problem on the northern beaches without providing outlets for dealers,” a resident wrote.
Earlier this year the Manly Daily reported 70 people were searched for drugs at the 2019 event following indications made by drug detection dogs.
Seven people were found with MDMA or ecstasy; three with cannabis and one with LSD.
Two women, aged 19 and 21, were treated by ambulance paramedics after having adverse reactions to drugs.
The Manly Daily asked the event’s spokeswoman what the festival’s stance was on illegal drugs.
“Drugs are illegal and as such are prohibited from entering the festival. Any persons found with illegal drugs will be removed and handed over to police,” she said.
“The Drop works closely with the police and all major community stakeholders in each location to ensure a safe event. All of our events include a police presence onsite and it’s commonplace in NSW to see police deploy drug detection animals at events.
“The Drop Festival works extensively with government agencies and private entities to provide a range of care spaces, harm reduction initiatives and medical services. ”
Rigorous checks and processes are expected to be in place after the Berejiklian government vowed to crackdown on illegal drugs at New South Wales music festivals.