Over the last 12 hours or so, the likelihood of the prestigious Falls Festival out at Lorne was in very much doubt due to the monster bushfire tearing across the states surf coast making its way towards the site, nestled dense in the bushlands at Falls Farm. But the light has shown through and the promoters have just announced that the festival will now be moved to Mount Duneed Estate on Pettavel Road, just north of Torquay.
The Falls promoters have sent out this announcement to all attendees regarding further details:
LORNE EVENT: VENUE UPDATE.
This afternoon, we met with members of the CFA, Victorian Police, Emergency Management Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and the Surf Coast Shire. We discussed the current fire situation in the surrounding areas and the weather forecasts over the coming days. It was agreed that the Lorne farm, for this particular event, is potentially high risk.
The Falls Festival Event Producer’s number one priority is always the safety of our patrons and our friends. With that in mind, we have spent the past 24 hours securing another Victorian venue for the event to continue.
We are really excited and thankful to announce that our good friends at A Day On The Green have helped us secure a new venue for Falls Lorne, for this year only. Ticket holders will be welcoming in 2016 at the Mount Duneed Estate on Pettavel Road, just north of Torquay. It’s nearby and easily accessible for all, situated on a gentle slope looking down from the winery. With ample flat campgrounds surrounding the vineyard to comfortably accommodate you all, everything you know and love about the Falls event will be there waiting for you.
“First and most importantly, our hearts and thoughts are with our neighbours and local communities in the Lorne area who continue to deal with this heartbreaking situation. The safety of our patrons is always our number one concern, and our discussions have directed us to a new home and Falls experience for the year.”
“The team at Falls will deliver an outstanding event for all of our ticket holders attending. We’d love to thank the Surf Coast Shire and Geelong Councils, emergency services for their ongoing support of the festival, the guys at Mount Duneed Estate, including their neighbours and to all of you – our patrons – who have been very supportive and patient throughout this difficult process.”
Jessica Ducrou, Festival Co-Producer: “The Falls Festival organisers have always had the safety of the community front of mind and have worked very closely with emergency services and the Surf Coast Shire to get the right outcome,” Emergency
Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said: “This is about people’s safety and that was the focus in coming to the decision to relocate the festival. “The Falls Festival organisers were engaged from the beginning and have respected the expert safety advice given to them that has prompted the need to relocate the event.”
The Falls Festival has 22 years’ history in Lorne and is an important event in the area. CFA, Victoria Police, Emergency Management Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Surf Coast Shire thanks the organisers for their cooperation and commitment to community.
The Victorian Government has provided financial support and has worked with Surf Coast Shire and the City of Greater Geelong to work through the local planning and logistical considerations and to ensure the necessary permits are in place.
The show will go on: all Lorne tickets will be accepted at the gates and scanned by Falls and Oztix staff. As the festival is proceeding, refunds will not be offered, however for those who would prefer to attend another event we are offering Lorne patrons the opportunity to switch their tickets to the Marion Bay or Byron Bay festivals. To do so you will need to contact Oztix directly at info@oztix.com.au with your original ticket purchase information, confirmation numbers and your preferred venue.
The Byron Bay and Marion Bay events are business as usual.
With regards to event information and traffic access, all ticket holders should keep an eye on their inbox over the next 24 hours. Obviously we’re working as hard as we can to set up our new venue, thanks so much for your continued patience and understanding.
Falls x”
Our thoughts go out to those who have experienced any damages or losses over the Christmas period, and we hope that everybody is safe and well during this tragic time.