Cars bogged in thick mud as heavy rain batters Geelong music festival

Music fans were left furious and swamped in mud at a Geelong music festival, as Melbourne braces for more wild winds and thunderstorms.

Furious revellers have slammed the organisers of a Geelong music festival after wild weather lashed the grounds and bogged cars in thick mud.

A Day on the Green was held at Mt Duneed Estate on Saturday despite heavy rain and wind gusts of 102km/h.

Music festival fans were swamped in thick mud as vehicles, including 4WDs and utes, remained bogged in the slush overnight.

It comes as the State Emergency Service received about 400 calls in 24 hours, including 233 requests for help as a cold front is forecast to sweep the state on Sunday and Monday.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds was issued for parts of the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology said westerly winds averaging 40km/h to 60km/h with gusts to 100km/h were possible over western districts, extending eastwards.

A spokesperson said there was a possibility of large hail and thunderstorms to hit Melbourne on Sunday night or into Monday morning.

Frustrated revellers took to social media to question why organisers Roundhouse Entertainment didn’t call off the festival.

“The organisers have no excuses, there was no reason to not expect that extent of rain,” a woman said.

“The organisers should be ashamed, the council cancelled a concert in Melbourne, shame A Day on the Green didn’t feel the same responsibility to their patrons,” another said.

Hundreds of cars were bogged in the mud. Picture: Mark Wilson

Tractors were called to pull the cars out. Picture: Mark Wilson

Hundreds of revellers had to leave their cars at the venue overnight. Picture: Mark Wilson

In a statement, Mt Duneed Estate said tractors were called in on Sunday morning to help remove the bogged vehicles.

“We are extremely disappointed and upset with the impact of weather on last night’s concert,” they said.

“The organisers expected last night to be wet, but definitely not to the extent that it became.”

“We have tractors working now and more to come soon to help move your cars.

“Please understand that this will take some time and a lot of patience.”

Roundhouse Entertainment said the festival continued after “extensive consultation” with major stakeholders including emergency services.

“The consultation continued from Thursday throughout Saturday and for the duration of the show,” the organisers said in a statement.

“This included direct communication between our Safety Officer and the Weather Bureau.

“At 5pm Friday afternoon, email and SMS communication was sent to all patrons advising parking on-site was restricted to 4WD vehicles only and a free park and ride shuttle service was implemented for patrons to attend and depart the event in a safe manner.

“We take the safety of our patrons very seriously and work diligently with police, emergency services and other stakeholders to ensure this.

“All decisions made are done based on the advice to hand.”

The brown slush covered the entire car park. Picture: Mark Wilson

Some revellers came prepared.

Others didn’t.

It’s understood some cars were left damaged.

Highton woman Anne said the venue looked like a “4WD graveyard” as she waited for three tractors to pull hundreds of cars out of the mud at 9.30am on Sunday.

“This should have been cancelled,” she said.

Anne waited alongside “cold, wet, angry people” for a bus to shutter them out of the chaos but others stayed with their cars.

Leah drove hours from Gippsland to be at the festival and thought she would spend the whole night in her car when she heard a tow-truck driver made it in about 2.30am.

She said some drivers told her that the conditions were “dangerous”.

Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she waded through “ankle deep water”.

She said the organisers were “extremely lucky nothing serious happened”.

Reveller, Phil Barrett, said he spoke to Victoria Police on the night who told him it “shouldn’t have run”.

“I am so upset and disappointed by the lack of preparation…and management of the day itself,” he said.

Crowded House, Angus and Julia Stone, The Waifs and Maistrato performed as revellers dubbed the festival A Day in the Mud.

The event was dubbed A Day in the Mud. Picture: Mark Wilson

Some revellers slept in their cars overnight. Picture: Mark Wilson

The wild weather is expected to last for a few days. Picture: Supplied

It comes as Illuminate the River festival in Aberfeldie was cancelled on Saturday afternoon.

Extreme wind gusts of more than 84km/h made it unsafe for the Moonee Valley City Council music and light event to continue, with the council’s risk advisor calling it off over safety concerns.

While some artists like Teeny Tiny Stevies, Mia Wray and Something for Kate took to the stage prior to the event cancellation, other headlining acts like Baker Boy didn’t get to perform.

Moonee Valley City Council Chief Executive Officer Helen Sui said while the festival was about celebrating life post-Covid, protecting all patrons, performers and guests was the council’s first priority.

“I apologise and share your disappointment. I am so sad to have to end this event early, but safety is the most important thing to Council, and we cannot risk anyone being harmed, or worse,” she said.