General News
16 March, 2025
Esoteric Festival canned
Long-weekend revellers were left looking for new plans after the popular Esoteric Festival was cancelled following Buloke Shire Council's decision to deny its Place of Public Entertainment (POPE-OP) application.
About 8000 people were expected to converge on Donald from March 7 for the annual four-day outdoor dance party after Buloke councillors voted on March 3 to grant the festival a one-year planning permit.
However, the following day, council's municipal building surveyor refused the festival’s application for POPE-OP.
A "devastated" Esoteric Music Festival managing director Sam Goldsmith announced via social media that the event would not go ahead.
"To say we are disappointed is an understatement – we are gutted," Mr Goldmsith said in the statement.
"This is a devastating blow for all involved – from our patrons to the local businesses that have been planning for this all year.
"It is bureaucracy and politics gone mad."
The announcement prompted Australian Festival Association managing director Olly Arkins to express their concerns.
"No major event should get to the finish line, after months of stakeholder consultation, employing staff and local businesses, and setting up all the infrastructure, only to have a permit refused at the last moment," they said.
Plug pulled on electric dance party
In the lead-up to the March council meeting, Buloke Shire Council voiced concerns with the Esoteric Music Festival, highlighting an outbreak of gastro in 2024.
Nevertheless, on March 3 councillors voted to approve the planning permit application, subject to 47 conditions.
The next day, council’s municipal building surveyor rejected the POPE-OP application, citing 33 grounds for refusal, including safety and compliance concerns.
A POPE-OP is a requirement under the Building Act 1993 and cannot be overturned by councillors.
The event organisers appealed to the state building surveyor, Steven Baxas, for a last-minute lifeline; however, he ultimately supported council's decision.
Mr Goldsmith said the Esoteric Music Festival was a safe event.
"We have been left stunned by the decision of the municipal building surveyor not to grant a POPE permit and will now have to postpone the festival until 2026," he said.
"We implore all of our patrons, please hold on to your ticket for next year so that we can continue running this event and supporting Victoria’s north-west region as we have for the past eight years.
"We will come back even stronger in 2026."
The managing director said the festival has injected more than $15 million into the local economy since 2017.
Reform required
Olly Arkins expressed their concerns following the announcement.
They said the opposing decisions by Buloke Shire Council just 24 hours apart highlighted how burdensome the POPE permit process was in Victoria.
“Esoteric’s cancellation the day before gates were to open shows the need for reform of the regulatory system for festivals and events in Victoria," they said.
"The Place of Public Entertainment, or POPE, permit regime in Victoria is the most onerous and convoluted in the nation."
Arkins said the decision damaged Victoria's reputation and they appealed to Premier Jacinta Allan to address "systemic issues".
"The long overdue review of the Place of Public Entertainment permit system, kicked off just this week, couldn’t have come at a better time," they said.
"The system needs urgent reform."