WITH thousands of people converging on Lucindale tomorrow for Triple J’s One Night Stand, emergency services will be out in force to ensure everyone enjoys a fun and safe event.
Around 20,000 music-lovers are expected to converge on the town for the one-day festival, headlined by South Australia’s hip-hop group the Hilltop Hoods.
The free, all-ages event – which returns to South Australia for the first time in eight years – was backed by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council when the region secured the international calibre concert earlier this year.
With an influx of festival-goers in the region to see the likes of Meg Mac, Ocean Alley, G Flip and local talent Chelsea Manor, Limestone Coast Police are urging the community to look out for each other.
Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff said road behaviour would be a major focus for police, with an expected increase in traffic surrounding the event.
“Everyone knows the road toll is out of control this year, so we will have a focus on protecting people on the roads,” Supt Hoff said.
“Our message is ‘don’t take it personally, but we do not want you to travel with us this weekend’.”
He said there will be an “overt presence” on the roads, which will also target football finals taking place across the Limestone Coast.
“We have got police dedicated across all the events this weekend, we have a contingent of police coming from Adelaide to help us and we have put our planing in place,” he said.
With the event drug and alcohol free, police will target intoxication, drug-use and any anti-social behaviour.
That will include the deployment of drug detection dogs at the gates to identify and apprehend any person attempting to smuggle in illegal substances.
“The message quite simply is that we’re not interested, this is a drug and alcohol free event and all-ages event and the majority attending are fully aware of that,” Limestone Coast Police Operations Inspector Campbell Hill said.
“Our key priorities at the event are public safety and that means if you think you are going to charge up and have a few beers on a bus or drinking to excess at a local pub beforehand, do not expect to get through the gates.”
South Australian Ambulance Service will have an active presence at the music festival and regional team leader Joe Renko said first aid would be readily accessible.
“There is St John’s and a medical support team on-site, so if anyone is worried about their own welfare or the people around them, please do seek medical advice,” he said.
“We will have paramedics and volunteers ambulance officers on-site, as well as around Lucindale and the neighbouring areas to provide extra support.”
He said many health incidents at festivals can be prevented by staying hydrated and eating plenty before the event.
“It’s going to be a warm day and a cold night, so be sensible in that sense and the main point is we want everyone to get home safely.”
While the region does not often cater for events of this size, Supt Hoff said consultation with organisers gave him with confidence it would be safe and successful.
“This is a new experience for us, but we have worked closely with the organisers and they have done a remarkable job running this thing for many years,” Supt Hoff said.
“They have been relatively crime free and incident free, so we are satisfied they have a good template of operation, they attract the right people and this is in the right spirit.
“It is a fantastic thing for the Limestone Coast.”
