An outdoor dance party being held at Rapville near Casino went ahead at the weekend despite threats from Richmond Valley Council to have it shut down.
Organisers of the New Years Eve party, Indigo Evolution, received notices from the council that they would face fines and possible imprisonment if the party went ahead.
The NSW Land and Environment Court orders were directed at James William Cambourn, 3rd Eye Productions, and Nathan Joel Rodgers-Falk.
In Facebook posts just prior to the event, however, the respondents said they were no longer involved. Instead, the party went ahead under the control of the OneMobCollective.
Richmond Valley Council general manager John Walker said prior to the event that the council was not opposed to a festival but needed to be confident it would be conducted safely.
In response, organisers said ‘a private gathering of family and friends’ would be held on the private land in the wake of the court order.
‘In the advent of Third Eye Productions having received a court order to cease its new year’s festival, One Mob Collective chose to utilise the infrastructure and resources for a private event,’ organisers said in a statement.
‘Unlike most private parties, gatherings and events, One Mob Collective has provided to their family and friends licensed security personnel, medical doctor on-site, qualified first aid providers, dedicated medical tent, shade and shelter, clean drinking water in abundance, plenty of toilets and regular cleaning, swimming hole to cool down in heat, qualified lifeguards for the swimming hole (and a) all-ages family gathering.
‘One Mob Collective is hopeful that common sense will prevail and that private gatherings may be conducted on private land without unreasonable interference from authorities.’
It’s understood that both police and council officers visited the site during the three-day event.
Richmond Valley Council has been contacted for further comment.
