Yours and Owls Music Festival Proposal Discussed by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel
The Wollongong Local Planning Panel is currently reviewing a proposal submitted by Yours and Owls to extend its partnership with the University of Wollongong (UOW) for hosting the music festival on the Wollongong campus. The application seeks approval to hold the festival on the campus for the next six years.
During the panel meeting, Adam Smith, the director of Yours and Owls, attended to address the concerns raised by the chair members and Wollongong residents. One key concern was the potential impact on traffic and parking during the festival weekend scheduled for October 14-15. Smith assured the panel and residents that they had taken extensive measures to mitigate and minimize the festival’s impact on the local neighborhood.
Smith highlighted three key processes that were in place to ensure safety and address concerns: an agreement with UOW, a development application (DA) currently being discussed, and a safety management plan assessed by Liquor & Gaming NSW. The festival operates under a comprehensive safety management plan, which is evaluated annually at the state level. This means they are not only accountable to the Wollongong City Council but also to the state government.
One concern raised during the meeting was the expected increase in the number of festival attendees. In previous years, the festival attracted around 14,500 people, but it is anticipated to reach 25,000 this year, with a potential to accommodate up to 40,000. Chair member Scott Lee questioned whether the safety management plan accounted for the site’s capacity to provide a safe space for people to move around. Smith responded by stating that they had consulted with an expert to determine how many attendees they can safely accommodate.
It is important to note that the agreement between Yours and Owls and UOW comes with its own set of restrictions and guidelines. This ensures that both parties maintain a mutually beneficial and responsible partnership.
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