After a significant uproar from local residents, councillors approved an updated motion at the April 16 meeting after taking into consideration issues of noise, security, safety and traffic control.

However a rescission motion signed by councillors Ian Olsen, Suellen Wrightson and Allan Stapleford means that the proposal will be put back on the table when council meets again on May 7.

The three-day festival is planned to attract 1500 people and will be aimed at the 25-35-year-old demographic.

The event was originally planned to be held in May but, if approved, will now be moved to September.

The proposal went to council on April 2, but with two speakers addressing the matter on the night a decision was deferred.

At council’s April 16 meeting, Cr. Morgan Campbell moved a number of amendments to the recommendation including stronger traffic management plans and volume control measures.

He said the amendments came as a result from conversations with locals, who were notably upset about the proposal.

“This motion is very different to the one we faced two weeks ago,” he said.

“Cessnock City Council are as risk and safety cautious as anyone and they are recommending this for approval.” 

Cr. Wrightson also called for a bushfire management plan to be approved by the Rural Fire Service. 

Cr. Allan Stapleford objected the motion, arguing that the area was totally unsuitable for an event of this nature. 

“Residents will be impacted detrimentally by this event,” he said. 

“This is not something that is in the public interest.

“The area is completely unsuitable for that many people and that sort of traffic.”

Cr. Cordelia Troy likened Cr. Stapleford’s argument with objections first met by council over similar concert events held in the vineyards.

“This is the same argument first heard against concerts at Hope Estate, Bimbadgen and those types of venues,” she said.  

“The control methods proposed tonight make a whole lot of sense.”