Concert victory for Rochford

By Kath Gannaway
A CROWD of 7000 people will have the opportunity to see international singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen at Rochford Wines in January.
Yarra Ranges Council at its meeting on 25 November rescinded a previous motion to restrict the upper limit of concerts at the Coldstream winery to 6000, with Sunday concerts capped at 3000.
Armed with a folder bulging with letters of support from local tourism operators and concert-goers, and with a packed gallery lending weight to the wave of dissatisfaction with the previous decision, Cr Ken Smith won his rescission motion saying quite simply “We got it wrong”.
Cr Smith called for approval for the 2008/09 concert series to allow one Saturday event with a capacity of 7000 patrons and all other events to be set at 5000 with the exception of the Simply Red Sunday concert with a maximum capacity of between 5500 and 6000 patrons.
Objectors re-stated their case that the concerts were too noisy, caused traffic problems and other amenity impacts.
Barrister Lloyd Bryant argued that no new material had been presented which justified rescinding the original decision.
“Merely to say we got it wrong is not sufficient.
“Council must look at the amenity impacts,” he said, calling for a new planning permit.
Dale St George, Chairman of Yarra Valley and The Dandenongs Marketing, put the case for Rochford, and for tourism in the valley.
“Tourists are not terrorists,” he said.
He said there had been powerful and passionate expressions of support from local businesses and community groups supporting Rochford.
He said the economic benefit of the Rochford Concert series was running between $14-$18 million and that at least $2m was spent on accommodation.
Thirty per cent of patrons stayed overnight in the region, most of them for two nights and 70 per cent of the 33,000 visitors were from outside the region, he added.
“The remaining 22 per cent are local patrons enjoying themselves within their own backyard,” he said.
Moving an alternate motion, Cr Jeanette McRae said she had no problem with 7000 patrons for the Saturday night concert, but called for a cap of 4000 on the Sunday concert.
“I think we are aiming for an appropriate balance between the economic benefits to Rochford and other local businesses however there is a need for sensitivity to the Green Wedge and it’s important to remember that the reason the cap of 3000 was set was because of amenity concerns. That cap was agreed to by Rochford,” he said.
The motion failed to receive sufficient support and Cr Smith’s motion was passed with a six to three majority.
Rochford owner Helmut Konecsny told the Mail he was pleased with the result and was looking forward to presenting the 2008/09 season of concerts as planned.
“I am totally overwhelmed and amazed by how much support we got and of course very grateful for that support,” he said.
He said over 300 written testimonials had been submitted and 4500 people had signed a petition supporting Rochford.
He said he believed Rochford had done everything it could to deal fairly with residents’ concerns and with the shire’s requirements.