“We Are Truly Devastated”: Lost Paradise Cancel New Years Festival Due To Bushfire Risk
"We will be back bigger and better than ever in 2020."
New Years festival Lost Paradise has announced it’s made the “difficult decision” to cancel this year’s edition just three weeks out, after determining the fire risk at the festival’s Central Coast location in NSW is too high.
On Facebook, Lost Paradise stated they reached the decision after “extensive consultation” with NSW’s Rural Fire Service and emergency personnel. Ultimately, they realised the fires ravishing the state are too “intense and unpredictable” to ensure a safe experience, and that relocating the festival is not possible in such short notice.
“We simply cannot put anyone’s life at risk,” they wrote.
“This is a heartbreaking time for our country. Our thoughts are with the affected communities across Australia, and the hero firefighters who continue to work in extreme conditions.”
The festival, which was slated to run from December 28-January 1 in Glenworth Valley, was to be headlined by RÜFÜS DU SOL and Hilltop Hoods, backed up by a slew of home-grown heroes including The Veronicas, Cub Sport, Matt Corby and Golden Features.
The festival thanked everyone who was involved this year, and ensured all punters they will be refunded, with details coming in the pending days. Lost Paradise has promised it’ll return “bigger and better than ever in 2020”.
Read the full statement below.
Lost Paradise’s Statement
After extensive consultation with the Rural Fire Service, emergency personnel and other key stakeholders, the difficult decision has been made to cancel this year’s Lost Paradise festival.
Our beautiful home in Sydney’s Central Coast is facing intense and unpredictable fire conditions that are sadly expected to deteriorate in the coming days. We simply cannot put anyone’s life at risk. We have been working around the clock to explore all possible options to relocate the festival, but it is just not feasible within the timeframe.
We would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard over the past twelve months to create this year’s event – the artists, performers, teachers, yogis, vendors, sponsors and production crew, and of course our amazing Lost Paradise community who have supported us for six incredible years. We are truly devastated that we won’t be able to bring the festival to life.
We would also like to express our immense gratitude for the brave emergency teams who are doing all that they can to protect the bushland around the site.
This is a heartbreaking time for our country. Our thoughts are with the affected communities across Australia, and the hero firefighters who continue to work in extreme conditions.
All guests will be eligible for a refund, in accordance with Live Performance Australia’s Ticketing Code Of Practice. We are working closely with our ticketing providers and insurers to process ticket refunds as quickly as possible. Each ticketing provider will provide details of the process, and we will continue to share updates in the coming days.
Thank you to everyone for their care and support. We will be back bigger and better than ever in 2020.