It is believed that other offenders are also to face court in coming months.
The maximum penalty is about $2,750 or six months jail. People caught trespassing begged organisers not to be charged as a criminal conviction wipes out job prospects and in many cases can have them removed from current employment.
However both Meredith and Golden Plains have a ‘No Dickheads’ policy against those who scam their way into the events – and not just because it pisses off those who fork out for tickets.
According to the festivals’ organisers, the No Dickheads’ policy was initiated in 1993 “in response to a number of serious issues arising from people attempting to gain entry without a valid ticket.”
These included the risk of personal injury from walking through worksites, farms, and dangerous and unknown terrain which can be home to venomous reptiles. There was also the bushfire risk of walking through neighbouring properties and bushland puffing on cigarettes and the risk of vehicles blocking important local access roads and gates.
In a statement, festival organisers reiterated they “will continue to enforce the Zero Tolerance approach with the support of the local community, Victoria Police, and the legit festival-goers.
