Festivals are an integral part of the Australian cultural landscape. Yet in recent years, many have suffered from the impacts of climate change, ranging from uncomfortable heat, wind, hail and heavy rain through to floods, bushfires and forced cancellations.
Climate Resilience and Australian Festivals examines the impact of climate change on two nonticketed festivals: the African Music and Cultural Festival and the Moomba Festival. Both are annual, not-for-profit, community festivals held in Melbourne.
The report was produced by Dr Todd Denham, A/Prof Catherine Strong, Dr Ben Green (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) and Prof Lauren Rickards (La Trobe University).
Key findings
- Weather is impacting festivals, particularly hotter temperatures. Organisers are considering rescheduling festivals to avoid the height of summer, or the hottest parts of the day.
- Beyond uncomfortable heat, climate impacts include bushfires, wind, hail and heavy rain. Planning for the possibility of a range of extreme climate events makes risk management a challenge.
- Crowds at nonticketed events are behaving differently due to increased uncertainty. This includes turning up later and leaving the festival during hot periods of the day.
- The cost of holding festivals is increasing. Extra equipment is required to address rising temperatures, such as misters and temporary shading.
- The impacts of extreme weather extend beyond the festival. Festival decisionmakers must consider demand for emergency services in the community as well as festival emergencies.
- Community-run and not-for-profit events are risk-averse. Decision-making prioritises safety and reputational risks.
- Formal risk management processes are standard in the sector. Site managers, emergency services and risk management experts are engaged.
- Organisers are continuously reviewing and improving event plans. Organisers draw on experience, post-festival reviews and an acknowledgement that climate events will likely become more frequent and severe.
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