Victoria’s Esoteric Music Festival 2025 Future in Doubt Amid Permit Row, Organisers Defiant

Reports circulating early this week suggested the popular Esoteric Music Festival, scheduled for March 7th to 11th, 2025, near Donald, Victoria, faced potential cancellation. However, organisers have swiftly pushed back against these claims, asserting that the event is fully prepared to proceed. The uncertainty stems from a recommendation made by officers of the Buloke Shire Council, the local authority governing the area where the festival is held.

Council Officer Recommendation Fuels Uncertainty

According to reporting by the ABC, Buloke Shire Council officers have formally recommended that the permit required for the “psychedelic music, arts and lifestyle gathering” not be granted. This recommendation is reportedly based on health and safety concerns. Adding to the complexity, reports also surfaced alleging that festival organisers had sold tickets for the 2025 event without first securing the necessary council permit.

The Buloke council is poised to make a critical decision regarding the festival’s future. A vote is scheduled for Monday to determine whether the permit for the March 7th-11th, 2025 dates will be approved or denied.

Organisers Defend Event, Cite Safety Record

In response to the escalating reports and the council officer recommendation, organisers of the Esoteric Music Festival issued a detailed statement to Rolling Stone AU/NZ on Friday. They robustly defended the festival’s viability and necessity.

“There is no reason for the festival not to go ahead,” the organisers stated emphatically, directly addressing the concerns and reports of potential cancellation.

The statement highlighted the festival’s significant history and contribution since its inception in 2017. Organisers pointed to the substantial economic benefits generated by the event, asserting it contributes “millions of dollars” annually to regional tourism throughout Victoria and specifically to the local community of Donald. Furthermore, they stated the festival supports “thousands of jobs.” This emphasis on its economic and social impact serves to underscore the potential loss if the event were to be cancelled.

Prioritising Safety and Addressing Past Issues

A central theme of the organisers’ defence was their commitment to attendee safety. They stated unequivocally that ensuring the well-being of festival-goers is their “top priority.”

Crucially, the statement referenced past challenges and the measures taken to address them. Organisers confirmed that “stringent measures” were implemented following recommendations issued by the Victorian Health Department last year. This move suggests a proactive approach to health protocols, particularly pertinent for a large gathering.

They also noted that the Victorian Health Department itself acknowledged that the organisers had “effectively contained an unfortunate outbreak” during a previous event. While the specifics of the outbreak were not detailed in the provided summary, this point is used by the organisers to demonstrate their capacity to manage health crises and work collaboratively with health authorities, implying competence and compliance despite past incidents.

The Path Forward: Awaiting the Council Decision

The future of the Esoteric Music Festival for March 2025 now hinges on the Buloke Shire Council’s vote on Monday. The council members will need to weigh the concerns raised by their officers regarding health, safety, and permit procedures against the organisers’ defence of the event’s safety measures, historical positive impact, and their assertion that there is no valid reason for cancellation. Stakeholders, including local businesses, potential attendees who may have already purchased tickets, and the wider regional community, will be closely watching the outcome of Monday’s vote, which will ultimately determine whether the “psychedelic music, arts and lifestyle gathering” will take place in Donald as planned from March 7th to 11th, 2025.