Popular music festival Defqon.1 has been postponed indefinitely with organisers claiming the NSW government's Sydney International Regatta Centre withdrew its support for the event.
Organisers on Thursday announced on their website that Defqon.1 wouldn't be returning to Australia in 2019 and had been postponed indefinitely.
The event, billed as the world's largest "harder styles" festival, had been scheduled to take place at the regatta centre in Penrith in September.
The festival was one of 14 classified as "high risk" under the state government's new licensing scheme which came into place in March.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian vowed to shut down the festival the day after suspected drug overdoses left two young people dead and another three fighting for their lives following the 2018 event.
A 26-year-old man died at the festival in 2015.
"This is an unsafe event and I'll be doing everything I can to make sure it never happens again," Ms Berejiklian said last September.
The regatta centre - which is overseen by the Office of Sport - withdrew support for the event, organisers say.
"Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure a suitable replacement venue for the event to take place this September," Defqon.1 said.
"To our fans, ambassadors, and everyone else that has contributed to the incredible memories we created for the past 10 years: from the depths of our orange heart we would like to thank all of you for your ongoing support."
Organisers are still looking for a suitable alternative location but remain uncertain "if and when we return," the statement said.
NSW Labor on Thursday said the government's controversial festival licensing scheme would be examined by an upper house committee.
"The inquiry will allow the festival industry to come and put their case directly to members of parliament and propose a new approach," opposition music spokesman John Graham said in a statement.
In a statement, a spokesman for the Office of Sport said it was focused on "hosting sporting events at the Sydney International Regatta Centre this year".
A spokesman for Liquor and Gaming NSW said the NSW government was committed to working with musical festival operators and other industry stakeholders to ensure "the right balance is struck between great entertainment and festival safety".
"The music festival licence is designed to support operators in ensuring their events are safe and these risks are managed properly," the spokesman said in a statement.
"Under the licence scheme, organisers have access to expert advice from agencies including NSW Health and NSW Police."
Share
