Big Day Out rumours abound

Uncertain future: A large crowd packs last year’s Gold Coast Big Day Out at its Parklands Showground venue, which is scheduled to be closed in June 2013.

Photos

Big Day Out 2010

View Photo Gallery »

Photos

Gold Coast Big Day Out

View Photo Gallery »

Poll

Would you support Big Day Out moving to Byron Bay?

This poll ended on 30 October 2010.

Definitely

38%

Not another festival

24%

If it was at the right time of the year

5%

Bring Splendour in the Grass back instead

32%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Related links

• Bluesfest acts hit new high
• Bob Dylan to play Bluesfest

REPORTS Big Day Out has been invited to move from the Gold Coast has sent rumours flying that Byron Shire could soon be home to another mega outdoor music festival.

However, Bluesfest and Splendour in the Grass spokesmen have denied there have been any discussions with Big Day Out.

The rumours started after Gold Coast Big Day Out promoter Brian Chladil said at a public meeting on Monday night that organisers would look south if the Queensland Government did not find a new home for Parklands Showground – Big Day Out's current venue.

Parklands will close in June 2013, but Mr Chladil said organisers needed a decision within a year – or else.

“There is currently a purpose-built venue in Northern NSW (and they are) dying for us to move there and that's obviously a distinct possibility, which would represent a $30 to $40 million loss to the Queensland economy from tourism,” he said.

However, Mat Morris, general manager of North Byron Parklands, refuted reports Mr Chladil was referring to the proposed Splendour in the Grass site at Yelgun. North Byron Parklands has applied to the NSW Government to hold 12 days of major events a year at the site, of which three days would be Splendour in the Grass.

“We have not had discussions with anybody from Big Day Out regarding North Byron Parklands. This is all news to us. We are currently fully focusing our efforts on securing approval for our permanent sustainable cultural event venue,” he said.

Byron Bay Bluesfest director Peter Noble was also quick to lay to rest reports the Gold Coast Big Day Out had been invited to set up shop at Bluesfest's new home at Tyagarah.

“I have not invited any other promoters to hold their festival at the Bluesfest site at Tyagarah,” he said.

A spokesperson for Big Day Out released a statement yesterday that neither confirmed nor denied Mr Chladil's comments.

“If the Government has no plans to rebuild the Parklands venue, obviously Big Day Out has to consider other options, however, no firm decisions have been made at this time.”