Field Day organisers have fought back at claims that music festivals aren’t doing enough to keep punters safe, after NSW Minister for Police Troy Grant said festivals could be shut down if more drug overdoses occur.

The Minister’s statement follows the hospitalisation of a 23-year-old woman on New Year’s Day, after she allegedly took MDMA at Field Day in Sydney, and a month after two punters died from suspected drug overdoses at Stereosonic in Adelaide and Sydney.

“We will be working together to look at how, if possible, the NSW Government can contribute to making these events more safe for the patrons, but also about putting the onus on these festival organisers to have a better duty of care to the partygoers,” said the Minister for Police.

“Ultimately, if the events continue to cause deaths, well the festivals will write their own scripts.”

In a statement, the Minister for Police and Acting Premier told Hack, “Festival organisers have a duty of care to look after patrons and the ball is now in their court to tell worried parents and grieving families what steps they are taking to improve the situation.

“The government is reviewing the system of regulating events held on public land, including the process for granting permits for events such as music festivals.”

But General Manager for Fuzzy – responsible for organising Field Day, Harbourlife and Listen Out – Adelle Robinson said Field Day underwent a “rigorous approval process” before their first festival in 2002, and continue to do so before every contract is reissued.

“Field Day has always made health and safety a priority which is approved by government stakeholders and also communicated to our customers via ticket holder emails, patron maps, the event app and dedicated event website.”

But the Australian Medical Association agrees with Troy Grant. They released a statement today advising that “Festival organisers should put safety first”.

According to the AMA, festivals should provide free drinking water, dedicated “chill out” zones and adequate first aid services.

“Festival organisers have a duty of care to their patrons to ensure that profit is not put ahead of health,” AMA President Professor Brian Owler said.

What safety measures do festivals already put in place?

While the AMA reckons festivals should provide more water, chill out zones and medical services, what do festivals like Field Day already provide? Are they doing enough?

In terms of medical care and safety at this year’s sold-out event, Field Day say they addressed the AMA’s recommendations:

  • 34 medical team staff (including paramedics, an emergency doctor, nurses, basic life support medics, supervisors, a commander and communication officers)
  • 6 Ambulance staff (including 1 forward commander, 1 liaison and 4 ambulance crew)
  • 26 Red Cross “Save A Mate” harm minimisation staff

Adelle Robinson says a quarter of Field Day’s site was under cover or in shade, including three dedicated “chill out” bars, stages or areas.

As far as free water goes, Field Day provided 76 free water points. Only nine of these were expressly required by Field Day’s liquor license, the organiser says.

And other festivals take similar approaches, according to Claire Downs, the organiser for the annual Secret Garden festival. Downs told Hack that all festivals “definitely” have to provide free water, have medical support and shaded areas. Downs said festival organisers always prioritised safety at their events. “We all work around the clock to establish the blueprint for the safest possible event. But there are individuals that do take risks and do slip through the crack.”

The Secret Garden organiser said Grant’s comments made it seem like festivals and the NSW Government don’t work together – which isn’t the case.

“The comments make it sound like festivals don’t work with NSW Government bodies, but we work in collaboration and with support of a number of regulatory bodies…the comments make it sound like the NSW government are [only now] stepping in.”

Medical attention at music festivals

Out of 28,000 Field Day attendees, the 23-year-old who was taken to hospital was one of approximately 13 punters who sought medical attention due to illicit substance consumption. Approximately 14 festival-goers sought medical attention due to alcohol intake.

These figures, according to statistics released by Field Day, were far outweighed by the number of punters who sought medical attention for minor presentations – 180 received attention for things like paracetamol, minor lacerations, or from sunscreen in eyes.