Coastal Twist Fair Day Faces Cancellation Due to NRL Grand Final Conflict

The Coastal Twist Fair Day, an annual diversity and inclusion festival on the New South Wales Central Coast, is at risk of cancellation this year due to a scheduling conflict with the National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final. The event, which has been celebrated since 2019, is traditionally held on the October long weekend in Umina but has encountered a significant obstacle as the Central Coast Council rejected its development application (DA) citing concerns over potential traffic and parking impacts.

The NRL Grand Final, set to take place at Sydney Olympic Park, approximately 80 kilometers away, has prompted the council's apprehensions about the influx of visitors to the region. According to a statement from the Central Coast Council, the anticipated surge in visitors due to the long weekend and the Grand Final would render the festival's location at Umina Beach over capacity, leading to "unacceptable traffic and parking impacts".

Festival producer Juan Iocco expressed his dismay, noting that the council's decision came as a surprise, especially since the Grand Final has occurred on the same date as the Coastal Twist Fair Day in previous years. "We asked the council multiple times for clarification and finally learned that it was the NRL Grand Final affecting our plans," Iocco stated. "It just doesn’t make sense, as this event has been on the same date every year."

In response to the DA rejection, organisers are seeking a comprehensive traffic and pedestrian impact report, estimated to cost around $30,000, in hopes of overturning the decision. However, with the festival less than eight weeks away, concerns about securing headliners and artists are mounting. "Trying to keep our headliners and main artists under these uncertain circumstances is quite stressful," Iocco added.

Glitta Supernova, the festival's creative director, emphasized the importance of the event in creating a visible and inclusive space for the LGBTQIA+ community. "This festival was created because there was nothing else like it on the Central Coast. We want to be seen and to make a statement about acceptance and diversity in our community," Supernova stated. She also expressed surprise at the council's decision, given the NSW government's recent efforts to facilitate such events.

Local community member Kristy Cartan articulated the festival's significance, stating, "If the event does not go ahead, the entire community will be heartbroken. It’s not just about the queer community; it’s about everyone coming together in a safe and joyous environment."

The Central Coast Council has indicated that the extra criteria required for the festival this year stem from new planning guidelines issued by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, which include addressing traffic concerns and undertaking a bushfire risk assessment. Despite the rejection, the council has expressed support for the festival, having previously provided funding to assist its organization.

As the festival's future hangs in the balance, the community's hopes rest on the efforts of the organisers to navigate the regulatory landscape and advocate for the essential celebration of diversity and inclusion that Coastal Twist Fair Day represents.