Council turnaround on festival

Council have changed their minds about a free summer music and arts festival that they turned down last week.
Jamie Joseph from LoveTheMount.co.nz says the decision was overturned at a meeting on Monday.


Mount Drury is the proposed venue for an alcohol free music and arts festival.

"I am absolutely thrilled. It only happened because people spoke out. If you do have a say, something can happen," says Jamie.
"Hopefully now the younger generation will vote and bring about change to our city, because if we all make a stand, together, we can make a difference."
Jamie says that she has been asked to fill out some more paper work and work with Events Tauranga on the risk management plan.
Council have not been asked to fund the event, says Jamie.
"I fund the festival by raising sponsorship from trusts and corporate businesses.
"I have only asked the council for their support in giving me locations to stage events."
Councillor Rich Curach says the event was originally turned down by an event planning team.
"The politicians said we need to find a way to do this. So we're just making sure Jamie 'dots the i's and crosses the t's'.
"We had a meeting yesterday and said this needs to happen. Peter Melgren is going to work with Jamie. She just needed more detail about how she is going to manage the event."
Rick says a team will work with Jamie to satisfy the initial concerns that caused her application to be turned down.
Jamie says music would start at 4pm each day and end at sunset.
"Our objective is to promote cultural events and ignite community pride."
Local artists Regan, Porina, Left Hand Break and The Deeds will play at the Mount Drury festival, being organised from 1 - 7 January.
Some of the artists that have been invited to showcase their work include Jamie Harkins, Space, Laurie Steer, Owen Dippie and Mr G.
Jamie says they will be opening it up to everyone in the local creative industry.
"I am just super excited to breathe more culture in to the city."

6 comments

What? Council listening?

Posted on 23-09-2010 11:15 | By Richard Moore

I couldn't believe it when the event committee initially blocked the idea of a free arts and music event at Mt Drury. Tauranga needs such events and people like Jamie to spark some more life into the city. Funny that the decision was overturned at election time.


progress

Posted on 23-09-2010 12:48 | By Suzanne Edmonds

Well done Tauranga council


.

Posted on 23-09-2010 13:03 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Council have not been asked to fund the event, says Jamie. "I fund the festival by raising sponsorship from trusts and corporate businesses. That is absolutely FANTASTIC NEWS (about the sponsorship and corporate funding) Also great news the concert will continue. It should be the councils job to ENCOURAGE individuals to do MORE of this kind of thing for the community, not find everything they can to DISCOURAGE THEM. (and then do it themselves) like they do with so many other things


Council Turnaround

Posted on 23-09-2010 13:50 | By maggiebop

Wow, and so close to the election too. Now what does THAT say? Are our current batch of "leaders" saving their own positions now.


Finally!

Posted on 23-09-2010 14:36 | By bryceh

At last the council is understanding that it's job is to "represent" the people in the area, not dictate to them. Now the trick will be to make sure that the attitude continues. If not - sack them!


Who is Council, who's running the show?

Posted on 23-09-2010 15:13 | By Murray.Guy

Personally I think its a good outcome on the little I know of what is proposed. I know little, as at no time has this proposed event been part of ANY agenda involving elected members. What I totally reject are the process used.


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