11 people have been charged with trespass at the Meredith Music Festival and Golden Plains site.
This follows on from the 18 people charged in 2013. The maximum penalty is approximately $2,750 or 6 months imprisonment.
Meredith Music Festival and Golden Plains Festival continue to succeed in reducing trespassers by adopting a 'Zero Tolerance' approach to people trying to gain entry to the festival without a valid ticket.
The popular festival has a well-known 'No Dickhead' policy which captures a multitude of sins. That policy can be found here.
This was in response to a number of serious issues arising from people attempting to gain entry without a valid ticket, including;
- Personal injury risk walking through worksites, farms, dangerous and unknown terrain, sometimes at night
- Bushfire risk walking through adjoining properties and bushland, including the risk of vehicles blocking important local access roads and gates
Those caught trespassing have unsuccessfully pleaded not to be charged on discovering that a criminal conviction wipes out employment prospects and in many cases can have them removed from current employment.
Festival Organisers say they "will continue to enforce the Zero Tolerance approach with the support of the local community, Victoria Police, and the legit festival-goers. Attempting to get into the festival without a valid ticket is not a harmless bit of fun - it has serious consequences. Festival-goers and those who missed out on tickets have expressed their disappointment at people who tried to scam or cheat their way in."
Meredith Music Festival happens December 12, 13 and 14.
