Queensland Police lay charges over Cairns bush rave

Queensland Police have laid charges against the two alleged organisers of a bush rave west of Cairns held in breach of COVID-19 restrictions.

Expected to attract up to 300 people, the event shut down by Queensland Police after they found out about the planned two-day rave, due to be held in state forest just south of Mona Mona, lst Friday and Saturday on social media. Current restrictions in Queensland limit the number of people at a gathering to 30 people.

Earlier this week a 24-year-old woman and 29-year-old man were charged with failing to comply with public health directions for allegedly planning the event. The charge carries a maximum sentence of six months jail.

Commenting on the arrests, which also saw, musical equipment seized, Queensland Police acting Detective Inspector, Kevin Goan advised “whilst we’re fortunate not to have any community contact transmission presently, this potentially puts people at risk give there were people from outside the region in attendance.

“It was in a state forest with insufficient amenities to deal with that number of people so the environmental impact is also noted.

“We understand the human context of people wanting to socialise and be engaged with other activities, however it is a difficult environment and if we all do our part we will out come out of it much quicker.”

Police returned to the site on Saturday to ensure crowds had dispersed with many unable to travel on Friday night due to being alcohol and drug affected.

This was the second large scale event of its kind to be shut down amid COVID concerns within a month in the Far North.

Three people were arrested and several were received fines after multiple police crews were called in to break up a party at Wangetti Beach on 8th August.