The move comes after 2019’s string of music festival deaths…

The New South Wales government has relaxed the safety categories used to deem music festivals across the state. In 2019, the government slapped 14 music festivals with the high-risk label following the drug-related deaths of multiple festival-goers, imposing tighter licensing laws and safety procedures for events like Laneway, Lost Paradise and FOMO. 

The move received backlash at the time given its lack of consultation with the music industry and its failure to address the root cause of drug-related deaths. Now two years on, the category system has been loosened, with Parliament amending the legislation to re-name ‘high-risk’ festivals as ‘subject.’ 

While the listed festivals are still considered ‘of note,’ the new term offers some wriggle room for organisers, who now have an extra 30 days to submit their safety plans. Speaking of the change in terminology, the Australian Festival Association welcomed the amendment. 

“[We’ve been] advocating for this change since 2019” they said in a social media statement, “this continues a welcome shift towards festivals in NSW, focusing on their economic and employment contribution while balancing patron safety.”