By NIKKI TODD
ORGANISERS of the popular Splendour in the Grass music festival are racing against time to have their new site ready for the three-day spectacular at the end of July.
Persistent rain in recent months has dampened construction as organisers prepare the 240 ha site near Yelgun, just south of Wooyung on the Tweed Coast, for the festival.
The site, known as North Byron Parklands, was purchased by Splendour founders Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco as a permanent home for the festival which was first launched at Byron Bay in 2001.
The event has since outgrown its Byron site at Belongil Fields, necessitating the move to Yelgun.
North Byron Parklands general manager Mat Morris said while rain had hampered work, the site would be ready in time for the festival scheduled for 26-28 July.
“We really didn’t anticipate the heavy consistent rain of the past five months and we’re hoping for sunny skies from here until after the festival,’’ Mr Morris said.
“But rain, hail or shine the venue will be ready.’’
Construction at the site began last November after a lengthy approval process which eventually went to the NSW Government following strong opposition from the local community.
Approval was granted on a five-year trial basis, with the festival limited to 25,000 patrons in the first year, with a gradual increase in numbers to 35,000 patrons over the following four years.
The approval also restricts organisers to a maximum of three events on the site per year during the trial period.
Mr Morris said infrastructure, including a road network, was well underway.
“As per our approval, we are building a network of roads, staging areas and drain crossings,’’ he said.
“Everything else, including showers, toilets, tents, will be brought to the site and then removed after the event.’’
The festival, which sold out in less than an hour when tickets went on sale in May, will feature a star-studded line-up including Mumford & Sons, Empire of the Sun, Bernard Fanning and Sarah Blasko.
It is expected to boost the local economy with accommodation heavily booked in the region.
