Aussie festival cancels after costs rocket 529%

The crisis engulfing Australia’s festival scene has claimed another victim with the cancellation of NSW’s Return to Rio.

Organisers of the boutique funk, soul and house event, which was first held in 2013, have pulled the plug on the 2024 edition, citing a 529% rise in police and medical costs amounting to A$300,000 (€183,370) as a result of new laws.

In NSW since 2019, festivals considered high-risk or “subject” events need to submit a safety management plan – usually requiring a bigger…

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