Vic Police shut down an illegal rave in the Wombat State Forest earlier this month, which had more than 1000 people in attendance.
The Conservation Regulator is working in conjunction with police to increase surveillance in state forests and prevent illegal raves, amid the ongoing fire danger period. It identified the Loddon Mallee region and the Grampians as key target areas.
Surveillance measures include monitoring online spaces for illegal planning of events and deploying helicopters to detect suspicious activity in forested areas.
In a statement, the Conservation Regulator said there had already been three cases from this region in the past month.
“Earlier this month the Conservation Regulator, with support from Victoria Police, shut down an illegal rave event in the Wombat State Forest, which had an estimated 1000 attendees. Officers seized high-volume sound equipment including amplifiers, mixers and a trailer-mounted generator from the site,” it said.
“In the weeks prior, a similar event was held at the same location near Ballan.
“Planning for a third event, in the Upper Loddon State Forest south of Castlemaine on New Year’s Eve, was cancelled after the Conservation Regulator became aware of event preparations. Officers warned organisers that they could face prosecution and seizure of sound equipment if the event proceeded.”
Brian Hamer, director of regulatory operations, said illegal raves were a disaster in the bushfire season.
“Seizing items associated with illegal music events and prosecuting those involved in the coordination, is designed to disrupt the progress of these events and reduce the likelihood of similar events in the future,” Hamer said.
“We know these events are held in areas with limited access and no fire prevention planning. Combined with the ongoing fire danger and bushfires in the landscape – it’s a recipe for disaster.”
A permit is required for any event on Crown land involving 30 or more people, or infrastructure such as stages or marquees. Applications must be lodged at least eight weeks prior and include detailed safety, environmental, and traffic management plans.
The Conservation Regulator can pursue court action for unauthorised raves, colloquially known as ‘bush doofs’, and organisers may also be held liable for environmental damage and clean-up costs.
