Council & Politics
19 March, 2026
Lake’s toilet closure causes issues for campers
“Keeping the facilities open would almost certainly have resulted in a much larger number of attendees gathering at the lake, significantly inconveniencing regular, non event campers."
A DECISION that started as a precaution has sparked a debate online as campers and potential party-goers had to forego essential facilities over the Labor Day long weekend.
Buloke Shire Council made a quick decision to close toilet and shower facilities at Lake Wooroonook when it heard about potential festival plans late the week before.
When the NCN Herald spoke to Mayor Graeme Milne on the Thursday before, he said council had been made aware of a potential Esoteric-like event, but details were scarce.
Cr Milne said he hoped an event wouldn’t be going ahead without letting council know first, based on last year.
“As a council who did their level best last year to get Esoteric over the line, and some within the building order will disagree with that,” he said.
“But as a councillor who did so much to get it up and running, I’m just a little bit disappointed that someone would do this to us in the face of still trying to get an Esoteric-like festival going if that’s what the organisers want.
“As long as they abide by the rules and they do everything right, then there will be no hassles.
“We’re happy for these things to happen, we just don’t want to be blindsided and put in a position where people are going to be put at risk.”
“Insanely excited” Esoteric fans labelled the original 2026 three-day festival near Lake Wooroonook a Tribute Gathering.
Music artist Tessellate told online fans its Tribute Gathering program, likening this event to the controversially cancelled Esoteric Festival.
Bush-doof music followers also started online conversations about plans to attend the festival.
“If you were at the cancelled Eso renegade last year, you’ll know how awesome this is going to be,” they said.
According to council, the event was moved onto private property near the lake, but facilities at Wooroonook were closed regardless, leaving campers without the ability to use them.
Council Chief Executive Officer Daniel McLoughlan said he wanted to “provide clarity”
“I acknowledge the inconvenience this caused for recreation visitors and thank the community for their understanding,” he said in a statement.
“The event was promoted on social media as hosting more than 40 performers, with scheduled sets running from mid-morning until 5am each day.
“Although the organisers later moved the event to a private property adjoining the lake, their original intention was to hold it at the Wooroonook Lake camping grounds.
“Keeping the facilities open would almost certainly have resulted in a much larger number of attendees gathering at the lake, significantly inconveniencing regular, non event campers.
“The anticipated spike in visitor numbers also posed a risk of overloading facilities beyond their designed capacity.
“To protect the permanent infrastructure and minimise potential public health concerns, particularly regarding the septic system, I made the difficult decision to temporarily close the public facilities.”
“Buloke Shire Council continues to welcome and support events within our shire.”
The statement sparked a lot of mixed conversation online, some praising the decision, but others critisising council.
“As someone who went to the event I can assure you that the only thing that got us worried was certain things that were taken from the site” Chris White wrote online.
“You guys were aware of the last minute re-location of the event being moved so that’s on you for locking the toilets and showers. What are 200 hippies who are well-educated going to do to other campers?
“You made the choice to close the toilets and other campers had to suffer which isn’t a good look on your behalf.”
A camper also responded, saying he would have changed his plans that weekend if he had known about the facility closures.
Read More: Charlton