Falls Festival 2022 moves to Melbourne following community objection to original planned site

Colac Otway Shire Council has wished Falls Festival organisers Secret Sounds well for the upcoming event in Melbourne, following their permit for a site near Birregurra being referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) after local residents lodged an appeal to Council’s decision to grant permission for the event to be held in the Shire.

In July 2022 Colac Otway Shire Council had issued a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit for the Falls Festival to take place at a property in Murroon in December this year.

Council’s decision supported the music festival to take place in 2022-23 and 2023-24 through the temporary use and development of the site, which is within the Farming Zone.

Council’s Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit for the music festival provided objectors with 28-days to apply to VCAT for a review of Council’s decision.

The festival, to be known as ‘Pennyroyal Plains’, was to be held at 185 and 265 Telegraph Road, Murroon and the festival was to replace the annual Falls Festival previously held in Lorne.

Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor Kate Hanson said local support for staging of the event referred to economic benefit to the community and business owners, such as businesses and contracts engaged for the event and visitor spend in the region.

However, along with 14 submissions in support of the proposal, 24 objections were received for the application.

The VCAT hearing process will provide for an independent review of objections to the event being held in the Shire. This process is expected to be concluded early in 2023, in time for the event to be held at the Murroon site next year should it be supported by the Tribunal.

Falls Festival organisers Secret Sounds commented “Colac Shire Otway Council approved the planning permit on 30th June for Falls VIC to be held at a new location at Birregurra, but while the planning permit was approved with Council, along with support from the local MP and the broader community an application by a small group of locals was made to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) appealing this decision and a hearing date set for February/March 2023, after the event was meant to take place.

“Although not our original plan, we couldn’t be more stoked to be bringing in 2023 in Melbourne! Falls Melbourne Downtown will run 29th to 31st December with the same lineup.”

For further information, please see the Falls Festival FAQ page

Image: Falls Festival 2021 The Smith Street Band Credit: Ian Laidlaw