Queenscliff festival ‘to move’ despite concerns

KIM WATERS
QUEENSCLIFF councillors have given a green light to moving the town’s annual music festival to Princess Park, according to a council spokesperson.
The spokesperson said Queenscliff Music Festival organisers had approached council last month requesting the move from Hesse Street back to the event’s original location at the park.
“The main reason for the proposal was because the event has just about maxed out the current site with a capacity limited to 4500 to 5000 people,” the spokesperson said.
“The new site allows organisers to increase that capacity comfortably.
“It also benefits the community in that the bottom section of Hesse Street will be open now and Jordan Reserve boat ramp will also be able to operate during the three-day event whereas before it had to be closed.”
The spokesperson said the shift would also reduce noise for nearby residents.
“The new site allows them to orientate the stages so the sound spills from the three main areas goes out to sea rather than into the residential area like before.”
The Independent revealed last month that the proposal had sparked a heated online debate between residents concerned about a “hub of loud music and drunken behaviour” in the park and drawing tourists away from Hesse Street shops.