South Burnett residents protest lack of consultation for Rabbits Eat Lettuce

The relocation of a controversial music festival, which became the first in Qld to host government-approved pill testing, has sparked a debate as colourful as the lineup in a country town.

The much anticipated Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival is just a few weeks away, but some locals are not happy with how the event has been organised.

The relocation of a major music festival, which became the first in Qld to host government-approved pill testing, from one country town to another has been met with mixed reaction.

The Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival is just a few weeks away, but some South Burnett locals are not happy with how the event has been organised.

While there has been hundreds of posts and comments on social media in support of the festival relocating from the Warwick area many distressed neighbours and locals also shared their concerns online.

Helen Kidd, a wildlife carer who lives on a neighbouring property to the Crystal Springs event location, said she was unhappy with the lack of consultation from council.

“This is a large public event with significant and direct impact from noise, traffic, and other logistics on our community,” she said.

“We had a meeting with the council at the insistence of Heath Sander.

“The meeting highlighted that the council had no intention of addressing our concerns.”

Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival operations manager Peter Papandrea said while music festivals are loud and neighbours will likely hear noise, the event operates under strict guidelines imposed not only by the local council, but also the state government.

She questioned why the event was not approved or discussed in a public council meeting.

“There has been no justification for this level of secrecy.

“I understand that the matter could have, and I believe should have, been referred to the council.

“That such a short time frame for execution of any preconditions is absolutely irresponsible.”

Ms Kidd posted on social media a response she said she received from the South Burnett Regional Council, which explained that due to the permit being temporary and only for one event, the approval was handled by the planning department.

“The Temporary Permit Application was not included on the agenda of the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 19 March 2025 as the assessment is deemed an operational matter,” the statement read.

“As the event is temporary in nature, Council was not required to notify the public or seek feedback.”

Many critics of the event cited the increased level of noise as a significant irritant.

The festival provides close to 100 toilets, over 24 showers and over 10 hand wash stations which are cleaned every four hours or so throughout the duration of the event.

“I live 10kms away and can hear the doof doof garbage from my place,” one man said.

“I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like for the poor local people over Easter.”

Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival operations manager Peter Papandrea said while music festivals were loud and neighbours would likely hear noise, the event operates under strict guidelines imposed not only by the local council, but also the state government.

To ensure noise stays within the allowed limits, the organisers employ professional acoustic engineers who monitor the sound levels throughout the site in real time, 24 hours per day.

He said when they do receive sound complaints, organiser will check the noise levels and even if they are within the allowed limit, they still typically turn the sound down “to be friendly”.

The main stages will be active from 10am – 2am each day of the event, with reduced volume after hours stages operating between 2am – 6am or 4am.

Some commenters questioned whether the increase of people would put a strain on the limited number of emergency services available in the rural area.

“It’s always a busy time for emergency personnel at Easter … Our facilities are already stretched!” one commenter said.

The main stages will be active from 10am – 2am each day of the event, with reduced volume after hours stages operating between 2am – 6am or 4am. Photo credit: John Gass

Mr Papandrea said the festival would set up a medical centre, with doctors and nurses available all day and night.

They also pay for Queensland ambulance service officers to be on site for the duration of the entire event, which does not impact the availability of staff in the community.

In addition, they employ their own security staff and firefighters to deal with any emergencies that may occur.

The festival provides close to 100 toilets, more than 24 showers and over 10 hand wash stations which are cleaned every four hours or so throughout the duration of the event.

“Campers will leave rubbish, we make sure we pick it all up. There is a really thorough team of people that makes sure the event site stays clean and is left clean,” Mr Papandrea said.

“One of our core principals is leave no trace, so we make sure that happens.”

The event will run from April 17-21 at a private bush camping and cattle property at Crystal Springs, Stonelands.

What you said about the Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival

Ron

“Hopefully the Police will bring enough drug testing kits with them so we do not have drug affected drivers diving through our region. {more than we have now}”

Tish

“People forget how much money things like this brings to the community. Just like the Big Red Bash in Birdsville, over 10,000 people attend. Just about everyone is behaved and leaves the place clean, brings thousands to the towns. It’s how they survive.”

Helen

“Please visit Stonelands Road for yourself and see what the event might mean for 2 way traffic and access by emergency services beyond the event site. Stonelands road is a no through road. Keeping in mind previous REL events resulted in people arriving 16 hours before the gates opened and queued for 2.5km. If tickets are sold out (5000) for this event there will be significantly more people in attendance.”

Marnie

Gosh I can’t believe all the negativity in this post! Are you all that miserable with your lives? Why not let people enjoy a very well planned, approved festival over Easter? How is this actually going to hurt or concern you? I’m a local and I think it’s absolutely amazing for the South Burnett to hold something like this! Imagine all the revenue it will bring to the local businesses? And it will also encourage people to come visit our beautiful part of the country again! So please stop being so negative and hateful, we need more love and acceptance in this world.

Lizzy

“O ffs have a sook these people will spend money in ur little town they’re not coming to destroy everything my god u lot are a serious bunch of whingers.”

Christine

“This event being held in such a remote area is extreme cause of concern for surrounding towns and residents. We already lack emergency services and have a crime problem so bringing huge amounts of ppl into the area to ‘party up’ during a long weekend seems very irresponsible by who ever gave this event approval. Have risk and safety assessments been done? Who is providing extra emergency services … police and ambulance.....in the event of accidents? What about road maintenance as there is going to be huge amounts of extra traffic? Their website says up to 10000 ppl attending!!!! Even just a quarter of that amount would be over stressing our local services at every level. It’s always a busy time for emergency personnel at Easter.....who in their right mind would approve this event, at such short notice in our country area. Our facilities are already stretched!”

Craig

“Not one ounce of community consultation. I live 10kms away and can hear the doof doof garbage from my place. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like for the poor local people over Easter.”

Jamie

“5000 people travelling to a festival will be stopping at the local towns for petrol, food, last minute items they forgot to bring. I’ve been to many of these types of festivals over the years. They are a very respectful crowd. Uniting with like minded people and listening to their favourite artists perform is an amazing experience. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”

Originally published as South Burnett residents protest lack of consultation for Rabbits Eat Lettuce