March 11, 2014
It was looking like a perfect day out … people were having fun, eating, drinking and enjoying live music in Kingaroy’s Memorial Park on Saturday.
But the aftermath of this year’s Wine and Food in the Park Festival has left both police and organisers with a big hangover.
“A fabulous event” was ruined by the actions of some local residents “who don’t know when it’s time to go home”.
After being cancelled last year because of the floods, the 2014 festival had been awaited with much anticipation.
Within the festival boundaries, the presence of police and security guards ensured people enjoyed themselves in safety, dancing to live music and enjoying local wines and craft beers.
However, when the event wound down at 8:00pm, the party shifted uptown.
“There were very few problems at the event itself,” South Burnett mayor Wayne Kratzmann told southburnett.com.au
“But by 8:00pm, a substantial number of people had enough to drink. They should have made the right decision to go home.
“However, a large number of people left the park and converged on much smaller venues, spilling out onto the road.
“This has implications for the police and was a disappointing end to a fabulous event.
“This is something we need to discuss with the hoteliers as well.”
Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police Senior Sergeant Duane Frank said 12 people had been arrested on 14 charges, including drink-driving, obstructing police and public nuisance offences related to alcohol-fuelled behaviour.
As well, 25 tickets were issued for public urination.
An 18-year-old Blackbutt man and a 30-year-old Brisbane man, both of whom had been at the festival, were charged with drink-driving.
Alarmingly, eight drivers were also charged with drug driving: a 43-year-old Kingaroy man, a 22-year-old Kingaroy man, a 39-year-old Kingaroy woman, a 35-year-old Kingaroy woman, a 23-year-old Murgon woman, a 21-year-old Kingaroy woman, a 31-year-old Kingaroy woman and an 18-year-old Kingaroy woman.
Six tested positive to methamphetamine and two tested positive to cannabis.
“Some of the drivers were adversely affected to the point that they were a danger to other motorists. This is a major concern to local police,” Snr Sgt Frank said. “One woman had young children in the car, showing a total disregard to their safety.”
Snr Sgt Frank said the behaviour of many young people in the Kingaroy CBD after the event was “embarrassing for the Kingaroy community”.
“There was a volume of young females intoxicated to the point of vomiting and not being able to walk. It was disgraceful.
“It would have been great for their parents to have seen them and their behaviour.”
There was also a spate of vandalism in the CBD – including glass windows and doors smashed, street signs damaged and rubbish strewn about.
A businessman, who didn’t wish to be named, told southburnett.com.au three panes of glass in his store had been kicked in. Two adjacent shops were also damaged.
He said he didn’t blame the festival, but questioned the trading hours of local hotels.
Snr Sgt Frank said the Wine and Food in the Park committee had organised a great event but the aftermath was disappointing.
“A number of issues have arisen,” he said.
These would have to be discussed between police, Liquor Licensing and the South Burnett Regional Council.
South Burnett Events committee president Darren Schmidt said 98 per cent of the people who had attended the event just had a good time.
“Within the boundaries of the event, it was all ok – with the exception of some issues in regards to the number of toilets,” he said.
“We have done everything that has been asked of us to make the event safer, including shorter hours, more security and ending free wine tastings earlier.
“We can control what happens within the bunting but we can’t be in control of people who have left the venue.
“However, we are willing, of course, to work with all the authorities to try to find a solution.”
On a positive note, Darren said the committee was “really, really happy” with how the Dinner Under The Stars went on Friday night.
This was one of the main innovations at this year’s festival.
[Photos by Clive Lowe Photography and southburnett.com.au]
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Dinner Under The Stars
A new attraction at this year’s South Burnett Wine And Food In The Park Festival occurred on Friday night … a gourmet “Dinner Under The Stars” prepared by chef Jimmy Stephen from Accents Catering.
About 140 diners enjoyed a formal four-course dinner served on the lawn in Memorial Park.
A highlight of the evening was the auction of a special “at home” three-course dinner for eight, prepared by Jimmy Stephen, which raised $1550.
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More Photos From Wine & Food In The Park
[Disclosure: The author is a member of South Burnett Events]
