Tickets for the 2020 Rainbow Serpent festival have been suspended after the site was hit by a bushfire on Friday.
In a statement released today, organisers of the Victorian festival revealed that the fire burned through 2,000 hectares with an evacuation order issued for the town of Lexton (4kms from the festival site) with damage sustained to the grounds and "some permanent event infrastructure".
Festival spokesperson Tim Harvey said organisers will need a week to assess the damage before announcing whether the 2020 event, scheduled for the January long weekend, will go ahead.
“While it will take some days to assess the full extent of the damage, our focus is also on our neighbours, community and the local fauna and flora whose losses are more significant than ours," Harvey said.
“The local community, and communities around the country, are bearing a much greater burden than the festival as a result of bushfires.
"We’ve been overwhelmed with concern and generosity from our patrons wanting to provide assistance to those in need and will be in touch over the coming days to advise how they can help.”
Festivalgoers are also being advised to keep an eye on the Rainbow Serpent social media handles for updates.
