Bad weather forces Australia’s Playground Weekender festival to cancel

Australia’s Playground Weekender festival has been cancelled because of adverse weather conditions. The promoters of the three-day event, due to take place this coming weekend, are now trying to urgently seek a replacement venue for some of the planned festivities to take place.

Andy Rigby, promoter, took the decision to cancel following advice from the NSW State Emergency Services and the Police.

He commented: “We have been planning this event all year and were anticipating it as much as our guests were. The safety of the guests, artists and staff at the event, and on their way to and from the event, is our main priority. Reluctantly we have followed advice that it would be unsafe to ask people to travel in these weather conditions, and as such the event cannot go ahead.”

NSW State Emergency Service, stated: “The Bureau of Meterology (BOM) have issued a flood watch for the Hawkesbury – Nepean Rivers systems, including the event location at the Del Rio Riverside Resort in Webbs Creek.  The BOM predictions indicate moderate flooding but have not discounted the possibility of major flooding.

“In the interests of public safety, and as the emergency service responsible for storms and floods, the New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSWES) directs the Playground Weekender boutique music festival be cancelled under the State Emergency Service Act 1989 (section 22 (1a-c) (The Act).

“The extensive flooding that has been forecast poses a significant risk to persons and property within the affected area, and under The Act the NSWSES has a responsibility to ensure persons do not enter emergency areas.”