The Thames Coromandel District Council says it will prosecute the organisers of a 48-hour music festival that begins tonight.
The owner of the land in Tapu where the Chronophonium Festival will be held is also in the cross hairs after they and the organisers were served an abatement notice from council recently.
Thames Coromandel District Council says it will prosecute the organiser of the Chronophonium Festival and the land owner where the event is being held (pictured), which starts tonight. Photo: Courtesy of Google Maps
The festival organisers plan to go ahead despite the abatement notice, served by council because of concerns about public safety and noise.
The sold-out Chronophonium promotes itself as not-for-profit event and its Facebook page reported a sold out event at $60 per ticket.
About 1500 people are expected to arrive at the Tapu Coroglen Rd location today for the 48-hour music festival.
TCDC acting chief executive Ben Day says they don't want attendees' safety to be put in danger.
'We don't want problems like that experienced at Gisborne recently when organisers of an event such as Chronophonium refuse to comply with standards put in place to take care of people.
'We want people's memories of Coromandel summers to be happy, not devastating and we will prosecute.”
The festival organisers told council officers yesterday they only had one nurse and two security guards to take care of the 1500 people plus bands and support teams over the 48 hours.
Police have advised organisers they needed one crowd control certified security guard per 75 people.
This is the fourth year the event has been held. In 2014 the event caused a series of complaints from neighbours who had not been notified of the event.
Organisers have told council the festival was sold out and to just 'fine them” for not following the requirements under the Resource Management Act.
Council has also spoken told the owner of the Tapu Coroglen Rd saying that he would also be prosecuted, but the organisers have said they would just pay his fine too.
A successful resource consent would have cost about $1,500 and certified the site for all future repeat festivals.
On conviction after a prosecution, an individual who has failed to comply with the abatement notice is liable to a fine of $10,000 per person, including the land owner.
Ben says council worked with the organisers last year to guide them through the consenting process, even offering the Thames Racecourse as an alternative venue which would make it possible for them to meet the standards.
SunLive was unable to reach any of the Chronophonium Festival organisers for comment.
11 comments
Still in profit
Posted on 09-01-2015 19:17 | By Johnney
1500 people at $60 less the $10 k fine still plenty of profit. Cheaper than complying with council nonsense.
PC
Posted on 09-01-2015 22:58 | By Capt_Kaveman
Gone mad
Please Explain
Posted on 10-01-2015 08:11 | By Paul Melhuish
Explain to us Kaveman how this is PC gone mad or perhaps Johnney would like to clarify why this is council nonsense? Think for a moment what the outcome would be with no consents or regulations and any muppet can set up a 'festival' anywhere.
@Paul Melhuish
Posted on 10-01-2015 11:02 | By morepork
There was a time when "any muppet" COULD set up a festival. They didn't need a security guard for every 75 people because there wouldn't be any fighting or crime. Instead there was an atmosphere of goodwill, joy, and just enjoyment. Bands played, people and kids danced, gave each other beads and flowers, and went away feeling good. it was called the 1960s. Sadly, (in some ways) the world has moved on. We have allowed the nanny state and red tape to usurp our personal responsibility and the result is what we see here.
And then there's reality!
Posted on 10-01-2015 11:28 | By penguin
For the enlightenment of Capt_Kaveman and Johnney - you may wish to ponder the meaning of anarchy and arrogance. You may also wish to contemplate how you would feel if a state of anarchy allowed any type of activity to be set up next to your place with no controls or safeguards to protect your welfare or property. You appear to live in a simplistic world. Do you expect drivers to obey road rules for your safety and protection? Do you expect pilots to have to follow rules and regulations when flying? I bet you do. Therefore, your attitude regarding the music event is totally at odds with what I am sure are your expectations of society in the greater ‘world!” Perhaps pop along to a council with your ‘informed' ideas and comments about things 'PC” and you might have an educating experience.
Paul n penguin
Posted on 10-01-2015 17:57 | By Capt_Kaveman
must work within the council by the looks, council put in rules etc but cant even police the beach over peak times, this year resulting n death and they think placing a fine for easy pray, but does nothing when it comes to peoples lives
@ Morepork
Posted on 10-01-2015 22:17 | By Paul Melhuish
Yes, a very different time when those festivals were happening. Things are vastly different now as you yourself point out. However, if you think that letting it all just happen and hope for the best is the way we should have gone I disagree. There's a massive risk when you invite loads of strangers to get together in a field and add drugs/alcohol. If things go pear shaped, who is ultimately going to bring order if it's a free for all with unknown numbers with little or no security and first aid assistance etc...?
@kaveman
Posted on 12-01-2015 10:30 | By penguin
You certainly chose an appropriate name since you seem to live in that era, as your totally uninformed comments repeatedly show. It's positive that so many other commenters have informed and worthwhile comments based on FACT and not on wild assertions and misrepresentations. Best you revert to caveman rock drawings which may make more sense than your words - most of which are laughable. Chip chip.
@Paul Mehuish
Posted on 13-01-2015 15:09 | By morepork
I agree there have to be some basic "rules" (mainly for the protection of the community; people attending actually make a choice and take a a chance. For example, having a security guy for every 75 people won't make the slightest bit of difference if there is a mass panic and resulting crowd surge...) The organisers need to be required to provide facilities, First Aid, and reasonable security; it doesn't need to become a revenue gathering exercise for City Hall. Most people go to these events for entertainment and enjoyment. If a minority are more into drugs, booze, and violence, then they need to be ejected from the event very quickly, just as they would be if they behaved that way in any public place. Regulation is necessary, but common sense is even more necessary.
Wow
Posted on 13-01-2015 18:13 | By GreertonBoy
I would like to have a 'not for profit' organization that makes enough profit to pay fines for others, rather than just do it correctly? Great planning.... not!
Lost Kaveman
Posted on 25-01-2015 15:33 | By Paul Melhuish
Kaveman, you are wandering off the topic....again.
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