Residents Demand Change as Rolling Meadows Festival Plans Late Nights

Residents of Lower Styx Road are expressing significant concerns regarding the upcoming Rolling Meadows Festival, set to take place from December 29, 2025 to January 1, 2026. The three-day event, which will run from noon until 2 a.m., has prompted a petition seeking to limit its hours. Many locals fear the impact of late-night music on their community.

Betty Chapman, a resident and spokesperson for the concerned locals, stated that while they support concerts during reasonable hours, the festival’s planned schedule is unacceptable. “We’re concerned at the festival going on all day until 2 a.m. or later. We’re going to hear that booming bass all night,” she remarked. The festival is expected to feature over 80 local and international acts across four stages, drawing as many as 10,000 attendees to the area.

The Rolling Meadows Festival has a history of attracting large crowds, having previously been held over two days in Waipara, North Canterbury. Last year, it drew approximately 7,000 people. This year’s relocation to a new 62-hectare site at 240 Lower Styx Road and the extension of its duration have raised alarms among nearby residents.

Chapman noted that around 30 properties are directly affected by the festival, with a core group of eight households voicing their concerns. She explained that the noise could disturb residents in surrounding areas, such as Prestons and Burwood, depending on wind conditions. “I thought, what the… It’s the first time I’ve ever hung up on someone in more than 10 years,” she added, referring to a conversation with a festival organizer who claimed no one else had complained.

While festival organizers have offered to cover accommodation costs for residents during the event and plan to employ staff to manage rubbish and security, Chapman emphasized that many locals are reluctant to leave their homes. “We don’t want to be away from our homes. Our properties won’t be safe; we won’t be safe,” she said.

In response to the residents’ concerns, Celeste Donovan, the Coastal Ward city councillor, attended a meeting with approximately 30 locals who were dissatisfied with the situation. Chapman highlighted additional worries about potential traffic congestion, noting that the narrow two-lane road may struggle to accommodate the influx of festival-goers, especially in conjunction with a separate annual gala in the area.

“We would never have bought there if we knew something like this could happen,” Chapman stated, reflecting on the impact of the festival on their peaceful community. Many residents, including retirees who moved to the area for tranquility, are now facing disruption.

Despite the ongoing preparations for the festival site, Mark Stevenson, the city council’s head of planning and consents, confirmed that resource consent has not yet been granted. He stated that the council is currently reviewing a revised proposal and is awaiting additional information from the festival organizers.

The lineup for the Rolling Meadows Festival is expected to be announced on Monday, but for now, local residents remain apprehensive about the event and its potential repercussions on their lives.