Strict new drug laws drove fatal festival north

Two people have died from suspected drug overdoses at a Queensland dance festival.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce music festival describes itself as an event about “freedom, love & dance music”. Picture: Facebook/Rabbits Eat Lettuce

Two people have died from suspected drug overdoses at a Queensland dance festival that had moved from northern NSW to avoid strict regulations introduced last year after a spate of drug deaths.

The bodies of a 24-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were found in a tent yesterday on the campgrounds for the four-day Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival, at Cherrabah Resort, near Warwick, in southeast Queensland.

Police with a man at a drug testing site near the festival. Photographer: Liam Kidston

It is understood the Sunshine Coast pair may have been dead for more than 24 hours, with investigators waiting on toxicology tests to confirm suspected drug overdoses.

The festival announced it would move from the Byron Bay region — where it had been running for 11 years — after the NSW government introduced tough new laws on music festivals following the drug-related deaths of several young people at events in recent months.

In a Facebook post in January, festival organisers assured attendees the move to Queensland would not affect patron safety and that they were working with Queensland emergency services.

Organisers said the decision to move interstate ultimately came down to time and cost.

“(Rabbits Eat Lettuce) is in a fragile financial position after forking out $100,000 to fight last year’s action by NSW police and we don’t have the time or finances for another court battle,” organisers said on Facebook in January.

“The current political state of play in NSW is not conducive to the festival industry and we feel that to ensure we can provide the best event and experience possible, moving to Queensland for at least the time being is the best ­decision for all involved.”

The NSW government introduced new licensing measures last October to improve festival regulation. Large festivals and those with bad track records now face harsh oversight, requiring greater police and medical presence on site. Laws surrounding drug supply were also strengthened, creating a new offence for drug dealers who cause deaths and a trial of on-the-spot fines for minor drugs possession.

Erik Lamir-Pike, who runs the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival, took NSW police to court last year amid concerns about safety at ­another festival, Bohemian Beatfreaks, which was allowed to go ahead.

It was not the first time questions have been raised about dance parties hosted by Mr Lamir-Pike, with a 2010 judgment stopping a planned and ticketed event from going ahead days before it was scheduled as it did not have the correct approvals.

The two deceased were found in a tent at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival. Picture: 9 News

Founded in 2008 on the mid-north coast of NSW, Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival is promoted as an event with a focus on “freedom, love and dance music” for about 3000 attendees camping on site.

In marketing materials published on its website, the 18+ event advertised a long weekend of “24-hour sound, yoga, workshops, awesome vibes and good music”, as well as activities including dance classes, massage, permaculture, informative drug discussions and healing.

Festival organisers posted on the Rabbits Eat Lettuce official Facebook page yesterday afternoon, stating they were saddened by the deaths.

“All of the staff and community at Rabbits Eat Lettuce would like to pass on our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of those who were found deceased … It is absolutely heartbreaking to lose some beautiful souls that we consider part of our extended family,” said the statement.

In NSW, two men will face court today charged with drug supply after drug dogs stopped them at the Touch Bass Music Festival at Moore Park yesterday.

The pair was among 75 people found with substances believed to be MDMA and cocaine.