Serious questions are being asked of the Victorian government's capacity to deal with red tape to allow Covid-safe events.
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Measures were introduced in early November as Melbourne emerged from a strict lockdown.
Organisers of larger "Tier 1" and "Tier 2" events now need to submit extensive Covid-safe plans for ministerial and chief health officer sign-off. The process starts with an application to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions overseen by Martin Pakula.
Those behind a wide variety of different events and festivals, both in Ballarat and elsewhere in regional Victoria, have spoken to The Courier about the approval process. Most were reluctant to speak publicly as they are likely to need to work with the state government in the future - but several shared similar experiences. They have detailed long delays, extended radio silence and last-minute rushes to clarify details before the event is approved. "It just fell into a black hole," one organiser said of their application for a major event this summer.
Some have sought help from local MP Juliana Addison to cut through red tape.
Events have been cancelled as organisers felt they could not commit without feeling confident of approval.
In one example, the organisers of a major event received a response to their Covid-safe plan more than a month after it had been cancelled, with feedback that would have stopped it taking place in any case. "Thank goodness we made that [cancellation] call," they said.
Others have been waiting for approval until the last minute, a situation The Courier understands affected the the Road Nats event earlier this month.
Many are critical of what they perceived as a lack of clarity or rules that were changed mid application.
Ms Addison has advocated on behalf of several event organisers in recent weeks to members of her own government. "She really went heavily in to bat for us," said Ric Dexter, the director of the Ballarat Beer Festival, which gained government approval late on Thursday night ahead of its Saturday running. "She's been fantastic."
Another said the MP's help was appreciated but did not seem to make much difference. They described their application as going "on multiple journeys around Spring Street".
In an statement emailed to The Courier, Ms Addison said:
"I understand that its been a challenging process for organisations to navigate, but I also know that part of our COVID Safe Summer is making sure that everything is safe and ticked off.
"It's this thoroughness that will allow us to stay open and enjoy great events in a COVID safe way."
Both the minister for health Martin Foley and the minister for tourism, sport and major events Martin Pakula need to approve each larger event, as well as the chief health officer.
A query submitted to minister Pakula's office asking which department had overall responsibility for the Covid-safe plans was not directly addressed (see below).
A catalogue of events have been cancelled since restrictions from the extended lockdown last spring were lifted.
The Andrews government has faced criticism following the loss of events around the state such as Rip Curl Pro, which would have bought millions of dollars into the local economy around Bells Beach. Last weekend, Rock Ballarat was cancelled due to the lockdown. Moomba in Melbourne also faced cancellation, before the decision was reversed on Friday.
A well developed events schedule is seen as one way Ballarat can help recover from the COVID 19 crisis.
A government spokesperson said timelines for applications - which stand at four to six weeks before for Tier 2 events up to 5,000 attendees, and eight to 10 weeks before the largest Tier 1 events - were "clearly detailed".
Felicia Mariani, the chief executive of Victoria Tourism Industry Council, said everyone understood the need for effective Covid-safe plans. However, she said the red tape delays were a recognised problem in Victoria.
"If you put a system in place, you need to be able to accommodate what is required," she said. "People aren't getting answers in a timely fashion. They can't spend any more money in the hope they will get approval."
"Somehow other states seem to be putting on more events. We need to work out how to emulate that."
MEDIA RESPONSES IN FULL
From Juliana Addison
I am pleased to have been able to advocate for the Ballarat Beer Festival and other events throughout this process. I welcomed the news that the Ballarat Beer Festival's COVID Safe plan was recently approved enabling this great festival to go ahead this weekend and hope everyone has a terrific time.
I understand that its been a challenging process for organisations to navigate, but I also know that part of our COVID Safe Summer is making sure that everything is safe and ticked off. It's this thoroughness that will allow us to stay open and enjoy great events in a COVID safe way
THE COURIER'S INQUIRIES TO MARTIN PAKULA'S OFFICE
- Which department has overall responsibility for the process? Is it health, or is it jobs?
- Why are sign-offs taking so long? How many ministers are involved?
- Does Minister Pakula think the system is working adequately? Is it adequately resourced?
- Are there any changes in the pipeline?
RESPONSE (Received by email)
Quotes attributable to a government spokesperson:
"The Public Events Framework supports organisers of events to meet safety requirements."
"Organisers are required to register their events and, where applicable, submit documentation for approval based on the number of attendees and other factors."
"Approvals timelines that ensure the public events team can work with applicants to review proposed COVIDSafe Event Plans are clearly detailed."
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Public events are subject to different approval processes depending on their size and other risk factors.
Tier 1 events have more than 5,000 attendees and require an approved COVIDSafe Event Plan to be completed, as well as sign-off by the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Minister for Health and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. Organisers must submit their application 8-10 weeks before approval is required.
Tier 2 events have between 1,000 and 5,000 attendees. These events also require an approved COVIDSafe Event Plan. They must submit their application 4-6 weeks before approval is required.
Tier 3 events are the lowest risk events, with fewer than 1,000 people. These events are required to register and submit COVIDSafe Event Checklist before they can proceed. They must be registered one week before the start date.
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If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thankyou very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.