ORGANISERS of the Harvest Picnic food and wine event at Werribee Park say Parks Victoria is to blame for its cancellation.
The family festival has been held each November since 2001 and draws tens of thousands to Wyndham to sample some of the state’s best produce.
But Harvest Picnic Foundation executive officer Kirsty Hunt said this year’s event would not be viable, with Parks Victoria introducing a new venue fee and making changes to site requirements.
She said the changes made it more expensive for organisers to install marquees.
“Combined with the changing economic environment, the board believes that
it cannot stage the event at Werribee Park this year.
“However, the board hopes the Harvest Picnic can return to Werribee Park or an alternative venue in the future.”
Ms Hunt said the board had tried
to raise extra funds through increased
sponsorship but had been unable to arrange a lifeline.
Werribee Park’s chief ranger, Rocky Barca, said Parks Victoria would work with the board to see if there were options that would help the festival continue.
He said Werribee Park had proposed a fee of $8500 for this year’s festival, well below the standard fee of $40,000.
“Werribee Park has waived costs for the Harvest Festival for more than 10 years,” Mr Barca said.
“We have offered to continue subsidising the event.”
He said changes to site requirements, including a ban on metal marquee
spikes, were needed to protect the trees around the mansion.
Wyndham Council, which hosts a
number of markets and events at Werribee Park, said no changes had been made to
its hiring fees.
