Splendour In The Grass has been working toward establishing a permanent sustainable event venue to stage the festival. The chosen 660 acre North Byron Parklands site at Yelgun in the Byron Shire is undergoing the comprehensive approval process with the NSW Department of Planning and will not be ready for next year’s event.
In the meantime and as they approach the tenth anniversary of Splendour In The Grass, organisers today announced the festival will temporarily relocate to Woodford in Queensland, home of the Woodford Folk Festival.
“Woodford Folk Festival and their beautiful site Woodfordia have been a great source of inspiration to us and we feel honoured to borrow their home” said Jessica Ducrou, organiser of Splendour in the Grass.
“Securing the venue has meant we have been able to confirm dates and we are happy to announce that Splendour’s tenth anniversary event will run over three days, from Friday July 30 to Sunday August 1 2010”.
Mayor Allan Sutherland of Moreton Bay Regional Council said “We have worked hard to attract this signature celebration of music and culture to Woodford, an area that already has the runs well and truly on the board when it comes to hosting quality music festivals.
Moreton Bay Regional Council’s prompt endorsement of the event – and eagerness to work with event organisers, the venue owner and the State Government – highlights its desire to create a region that values economic development, lifestyle and unforgettable experiences.
“We have a great opportunity to grow our event and give people better access to the festival but at the same time keep Splendour In The Grass a unique and personal experience” said Jessica Ducrou. “Given the size of the venue we will be able to accommodate almost all festival patrons in camping grounds onsite, giving more people the full festival experience. The purpose built venue also means that we can incorporate a broader range of arts and cultural experiences, which we have been wanting to do for many years”.
“Having one of Australia’s premier contemporary music events at Woodfordia will be a privilege” said Bill Hauritz, Director of Woodford Folk Festival. “Splendour is one of the best managed events I have observed, they are responsible, caring and disciplined organisers. We can expect the best. We are grateful to the Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council for their enthusiasm and support, which has enabled Woodfordia to host Splendour in the Grass in 2010”.
“We will continue to work through the approval process for our permanent home in the Byron Shire” said Jessica Ducrou.