Overnight, news broke of the cancellation of the 2016 Southbound Festival in WA due to recent bushfires threatening surrounding areas. Where the Lorne leg of the Falls Festival was able to be moved elsewhere in Victoria, it was not possible to enact a similar contingency move for the Busselton festival, with the statement being released by Festival Director, David Chitty:
“Everyone on site is absolutely devastated as we were working so hard to bring the best Southbound yet. Please understand at this time we will be extremely busy dealing with the cancellation and our thoughts are with those in danger due to the nearby fire.”
The only access available out of the danger areas is only open for essential travel and therefore it’s made complete sense to cancel the event and minimise the amount of traffic in and out. Information regarding refunds will become available next Wednesday (January 13th), though the festival has made it clear that all ticketholders will receive full refunds.
Southbound organisers are in the process of offering the excess food they have on site to those fighting the fires as well as those affected, while they are also working donation initiatives to help out.
To keep your eye on any updates on the progress of the situation, visit the DFES website – our thoughts go out to those affected by the fires, those doing their best to fight them and the festival itself.
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