Contract extension: Rabbits Eat Lettuce wants the Southern Downs as it’s ‘permanent home’

A major music festival held in the Southern Downs wants to make the region its ‘permanent home’, with one councillor in full support of the move. Here’s why.

A major electronic music festival which has settled into the Southern Downs could call the region home for the long term.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce takes place at Elbow Valley, near the Queensland border around April each year, bringing thousands to the region.

Loyal punters travel from across Australia year after year to indulge in the chill vibes, music and friendships at Cherrabah Resort.

This month, the festival announced that after “months of negotiations” they had reached an agreement for a ten year venue contract for the “permanent home” at the breathtaking and expansive site.

“After working at so many different venues stretching from NSW to the Sunshine Coast, it felt like REL was more like a travelling circus! It is so good to finally find a home for Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival where we can build dreams and make Magic Happen,” the festival wrote.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce could be calling the Southern Downs home for the next decade (Photo: supplied)

Southern Downs councillor Morwenna Harslett, who oversees the portfolio of events in the region, said the council would be happy to work with the festival again, but was unaware if the application paperwork had come through to council yet.

“The reports that we got from the ground was that the festival did what was asked of them, and did it with good grace, I personally would not have any qualms with approving their application,” Ms Harslett said.

“In saying that we would need to see what they are putting in their application, what their plans are for the future, council also has some recommendations for them as well.

“If we’re going to have events like this that are quite remote, we would like to encourage the organisers to have perhaps some buses into Warwick or Killarney over the weekend, especially when there are some intoxicated people who can’t drive.

“I’d like to see services where attendees can come and get food during the day and encourage the organisers to make the event more holistic and encourage sightseeing in the region.”

While some traditionalists may not like the festival, and organisers courted controversy by hosting the state’s first “pill testing” site, the festival has notable taken steps to ensure safety and security at the most recent event.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce is expected to continue in 2025, with potential to call the region home for another 10 years. (Photo: supplied)

“Some people may not approve of some of the unsavoury activities that occur at the festival, we all have to be tolerant of people’s interests, that’s one of the most beautiful things about the Southern Downs region,” Ms Harslett said.

Famously, the festival was the first in the state to introduce pill testing at music festivals, a scheme introduced by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2023.

Both festival organisers, analysts and police are aware revellers will be taking drugs at the music festival, but are optimistic that with the new measures it will be safe and controlled.

One thing is for sure, police will still be on the lookout patrolling the roads in the aftermath of the event after more than 100 alleged offences kept police busy after this year’s event.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce will likely again kick off in the Downs Easter next year, with tickets available now.

Originally published as Contract extension: Rabbits Eat Lettuce wants the Southern Downs as it’s ‘permanent home’