There may be an interruption to the 17-year history of Island Vibe at North Stradbroke Island this year as a campaign takes hold to show support and appreciation for the festival.
Founder and artistic director Morgyn Quinn said he was saddened that a permit to hold the festival this year had not been granted by Redland City Council.
Mr Quinn said the council had advised traffic management and illegal camping were among the reasons cited for not allowing the permit.
“This is devastating news considering the 17-year history we have with Minjerribah and our vision to make the festival as environmentally conscious and family friendly as possible,” he said.
Mr Quinn met with Quandamooka elders, musicians, emergency service workers and Cr Peter Mitchell on May 19 and said he received “overwhelming support” in favour of the festival continuing.
“The festival has overwhelmingly positive outcomes for business owners, arts workers and the island community,” he said.
The festival appeals to kids, elders and everyone between. It’s not an 18-to-30-year-old youth festival. It is a family friendly focused event.
Cr Mitchell said he believed the event had the potential to become one of Australia’s best cultural festivals, but in the meantime compliance and logistics issues had to be addressed.
“It’s a tale of two parts. It is great to see this celebrated with great support, but you can’t have one without the other,” he said.
“The compliance issues must be dealt with and there is a lot of work needed.
“Once this happens, we can get back to the starting line and hopefully run a fantastic festival.”
Mr Quinn said the festival attracted many visitors and quoted 286 Queensland arts workers, 71 aboriginal and Torres Strait island artists and 110 volunteers in just one festival.
He said it brought about $1.5 million annually to the local economy.
“Two of our young indigenous main stage MCs have gone onto careers in the music industry and televison,” Mr Quinn said.
“I like to think the festival gave them a good start.”
Mr Quinn said he had received about 1000 signatures on a petition in just one week as well as more than 200 letters of support.
He said polite and respectful support could be offered by emailing peter.mitchell@redland.qld.gov.au.
“We hope it’s not too late to organise the festival for this year,” Mr Quinn said
A Redland City Council spokesperson said council and other agencies had been working with Island Vibe organisers to address matters of community safety.
“Council takes community safety seriously and works with all event organisers to ensure they are aware of their obligations under council’s local laws,” the spokesperson said.
