A popular music festival has come under fire for going ahead, despite urging revellers to reconsider their plans due a major fire risk and an extreme heatwave.
The Pitch Music and Arts festival in Moyston, 15km west of Ararat in Victoria’s western district encouraged revellers on Friday to leave the site or delay their travel to the event, despite organisers refusing to cancel
More than 18,000 were expected to attend Pitch on Saturday, which is one of the state’s biggest music festivals.
Temperatures in Moyston are expected to reach 37C on Saturday and 39 degrees on Sunday.
Organisers warned attendees on Friday night to ‘leave tonight or early in the morning’ following safety warnings, despite many having already set up at the site for the five-day event.
Organisers chose to delay the start time of the festival until 6pm Saturday following consultations with authorities.
The Pitch Music and Arts festival (crowds at previous event pictured) is one of Victoria’s biggest music festivals
The Pitch Music and Arts festival urged attendees to reconsider because of a high fire danger in the area but still went ahead with the event
READ MORE: One feared dead in huge fire
Fire and police crews remain at the scene (pictured) of a massive fire which ripped through a bakery and adjoining home
‘Following the update which was provided yesterday, and after consultation this morning with CFA, Victoria Police and other members of the Emergency Management teams, Pitch Music and Arts music programming will commence at 6pm today [Saturday] and will continue as schedule for the remainder of the event,’ organisers said in the latest update.
‘At the time of writing there are no active fires in the region and we wish to reassure you that those who are on site have access to ample shade, cooling misting fans, food and water.’
‘We are diligently following the guidance of relevant authorities to prioritise the safety of our community and have a full team of emergency services including medical, police and on site fire response who are on call throughout the event
The first wave of revellers had already arrived at the site, which is at the foot of the Grampians, before the dire updates were issued
Parents whose teens and young adult-aged children had travelled to the event are also concerned because of the lack of mobile reception at the rural location.
Some parents have driven out to the festival site to pick up their children.
Melbourne mother Nuala told the Herald Sun that her 22-year-old son’s decision to still attend the even was ‘absolutely shocking’.
‘I just think it’s the most irresponsible thing. They’re putting kids at risk, I just feel like the communication is terrible from Pitch,’ she said.
‘Once a fire starts, imagine trying to get all of those kids out.’
Revellers were advised by the CFA to leave when they arrived at the venue on Friday
An update from event organisers detailed the extreme weather and fire dangers associated with this year’s festival
Pitch’s social media pages have been flooded by refund requests from those who chose to follow the CFA’s advice.
Ticket prices range from $449 for two days to $499 for four days.
Organisers have apologised for the delays in processing tickets refund as they work to keep up with the demand.
‘Regarding refund inquires, we appreciate your patience as we work through the specifics,’ organisers advised on the event website
‘Rest assured, ticket holders will receive an update as more information becomes available.’
As revellers were arriving by the busload on Friday night they were immediately warned by the CFA to leave.
Disgruntled festival goers slammed the last-minute warning and questioned why the event was not cancelled earlier in the week.
A follow-up announcement alerted those who did decide to still go that Saturday’s events had been delayed – but still not cancelled
Parents who sent their children to the Pitch Music and Arts Festival have called the decision not to call off the event ‘deplorable’
Aaron Smith, another concerned parent, wrote on X that the whole ordeal was ‘frustrating’ because he has no way to check if his 19-year-old daughter is safe.
‘Pitch has issued a message relaying CFA advice to not come or to leave, but they’re still running the event. My child arrived yesterday – and no mobile reception. No idea what they’re telling those already there. Such mixed messaging: Going ahead from 6pm, don’t come yet if you haven’t left… Not confidence inspiring,’ Mr Smith wrote.
He went on to tell The Age that it hard to consider the logic of Pitch’s contradictory advice.
‘It’s really confusing because it’s inconsistent and it’s impossible to square the advice of not to come with not cancelling the event,’ he said.
Another parent said that she had been ‘non-stop’ calling her son until she was somehow able to finally contact him
‘Just got in contact with my son who has been there since yesterday. He says there are CFA trucks and people everywhere and they have had the evacuation procedure explained to them. Set times have been pushed back. He feels quite safe – obviously I am worried,’ she wrote.
Others similarly slammed the festival, calling it ‘deplorable’ and ‘reckless’.
‘This is deplorable that this festival is going ahead. It is unfair on the locals and fire services who may have to divert resources because of a large gathering in order to protect people. It’s also not fair on the medical workers, security and all the staff who are providing services to have to work in such extreme conditions,’ one wrote.
‘This is completely reckless and negligent for the organisers of Pitch Music & Arts to allow the event to go ahead in these conditions. They need to ensure that these children can leave safely. They have a duty of care to these kids,’ another said.
Some parents have not been able to contact young revellers at the vent (pictured) due to the lack of mobile reception in the area
A total fire-ban has been announced for Central Victoria and 60km east of where Pitch is being held a large bushfire broke out two weeks ago
Two teens who decided to still attend the event told the ABC that many of the people they talked to weren’t sure what was going on.
‘We have absolutely no idea if we’re allowed to go. ‘Don’t come or come — the middle ground is really, really confusing. That’s what’s making everyone stressed,’ one said.
Another teen who opted to leave after already arriving added that most of the performers had pulled out so it was not worth attending anyway.
‘All the big artists have been apparently cancelled so it’s not really worth staying there and getting heat stroke,’ she told the publication.
She said the process had put her $130 out of pocket because of the return bus fare.
Daily Mail has contacted the organisers of Pitch for comment.