Bega Valley Shire Councillors have approved the use of the Pambula Sporting Complex as the home for the inaugural Wanderer Festival to be held in September this year.
Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the resolution and approval from the Bega Valley Local Traffic Committee gives a green light for the festival to proceed.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring major investment and renewed interest to an otherwise quiet time for visitation in the Bega Valley Shire,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“The organisers have specifically chosen September to enliven visitor activity and spending in the tourism shoulder season.
Wanderer Festival Producer Simon Daly said it will be a positive change.
“The Pambula site is pretty awesome, it backs onto the National Park, and has a really great forrest backdrop,”
“So from a viewing and music point of view I actually think it’s a step up and from a camping perspective it will mean you can walk to the beach from your campsite and have a swim then walk back,”
According to Mayor Fitzpatrick, 4,000-5,000 people would have been able to camp at the Bournda site, however the Pambula Sporting Complex will only allow around 1,300 campers, meaning others will need to stay at local accommodation providers or caravan parks, which is good news for local businesses.
Cr Fitzpatrick said with a vast amount of experience in running nationally recognised festivals, council have every faith the orgnaisers will deliver a memorable event that benefits the whole shire.
“The organisers estimate the festival will attract investment of more than $30 million to the shire—and this is expected to be an annual event,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“Other councils have approached the organisers to ask if they will run an event in their areas, but we are delighted they have chosen our neck of the woods as the Wanderer Festival home.
“This is of course because the Bega Valley Shire is their home too, and it doesn’t take much to realise this place has so much going for it in terms of landscape, community and opportunity.”
Councillor Fitzpatrick said approval to use the Pambula Sporting Complex was given on the basis the event would comply with all relevant legislative and use of public land requirements.
“As part of the Use of Public Land process, the organiser will need to provide evidence that waste, water, sewage and grounds management will be fully addressed, as well as the recommendations from the Bega Valley Local Traffic Committee that were endorsed at the Council meeting today,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.
“These are important requirements that place public health and safety and the maintenance of community assets as a priority.
“The organiser’s experience and environmental credentials suggest all requirements will be able to be met.
“On behalf of our local community, I welcome the Wanderer Festival to the Bega Valley Shire.”
Image: Bega Valley Shire Council
