From: aldis@peg.pegasus.oz.au
Newsgroups: alt.rave
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:34 EST
Subject: NEWS: Disaster for Sydney Rave Sce
Nf-ID: #N:peg:581600002:000:4027
Nf-From: peg.pegasus.oz.au!aldis    Dec 15 19:34:00 1992


This article has been reproduced for distribution on this network
with the kind permission of Australian Associated Press. 
Reproduction in any other form is subject to normal copyright
requirements. 

                         * * * * *

QUARRY OWNERS AND COUNCIL MAY SUE DANCE PARTY PROMOTER

SYDNEY, Dec 14 AAP _ The organisers of an illegal, all-night
dance party on the New South Wales south coast at the weekend
went to ground today after three car crashes in which two
partygoers were killed and 16 injured on their way home.

"People leaving the party said they were so tired they could
hardly stand up," Shellharbour Mayor Cec Glenholmes said today.

"I would suggest that the contribution to the accidents was
fatigue from the young people."

The principal of the company which organised and promoted the
party, held above Killalea Beach at Bass Point, near
Shellharbour, was not answering his telephone today.

A contractor who worked at the concert and would give his name
only as Dave, refused to reveal the organiser's whereabouts.

He said he had been authorised to say that the man's official
statement was "No comment".

Pioneer Concrete (NSW) Pty Ltd, owner of the picturesque land
with ocean views where 5,000 people gathered for the party on
Saturday night, said it was considering legal action.

The production company responsible for the concert had misled
Pioneer by saying it wanted to hire the land to film a video and
only about 30 crew and up to 500 invited guests would attend,
Pioneer said in a statement.

"When it became apparent on Saturday night that larger numbers
of people than expected were arriving, Pioneer Concrete Personnel
on site attempted to restrict access, but crowd buildup made this
impossible," Pioneer said.

The company, which has a quarry near the site, apologised to any
local residents who had been inconvenienced.

Shellharbour Council received more than 500 noise complaints
from residents as far south as Kiama and Minnamurra, 10 km from
the venue.

Ald Glenholmes said police arrived at the party at 10pm on
Saturday but were unable to act until they established the
concert did not have Shellharbour Municipality approval and noise
complaints had been lodged.

Police issued a noise abatement order yesterday and shut down
the concert at 8.30am.

Exhausted partygoers then started to make their way home, some
by car.

Mandie Birkensleigh (Mandie Birkensleigh), 20, was fatally
injured in a crash at 10.15am at Mt Ousley, north of Wollongong,
and Kristian Harris, 19, received fatal injuries at 1.45pm at
Dunmore, near Dapto.

There was another crash at Oak Flats at 12.15pm.

Police said that in all three collisions the drivers heading
home after the all-night party crossed to the wrong side of the
road, crashing head-on into oncoming vehicles.

Original statements that alcohol was not a factor in the
accidents were later withdrawn pending toxicology tests during
post mortem examinations.

Ald Glenholmes, who spoke to youngsters leaving the party and
gathered paper fliers from the debris, said the leaflets
mentioned "Bounce House Powder" _ free to "members" and $5 for
non-members _ and advertised dates, venues, disc jockeys and
bands for future events.

Partygoers paid $35 to attend the concert.

Pioneer said in its statement the organiser approached Pioneer
for use of land near its quarry to produce a short music video
to introduce a new rock band and permission was given for this
exclusive purpose only.

Shellharbour Municipal Council today confirmed no council
permission had been sought or given and police said the party did
not have police approval.


                         * * * * *

Australian Associated Press (AAP) is a news wire service
specialising in the provision of general news articles for print,
radio and television media.  Address: GPO Box 3888, SYDNEY  2001,
AUSTRALIA.  Phone: +61 2 236 8800.  Fax: +61 2 236 8839.


Disclaimer:  I am not an employee or associate of Australian
Associated Press.

Aldis Ozols
Sydney, Australia