Residents Demand Change as Rolling Meadows Festival Hours Spark Outrage

Residents of Lower Styx Road are expressing significant concern over the upcoming Rolling Meadows Festival, scheduled from December 29, 2025, to January 1, 2026, with music performances extending until 2 a.m.. A petition was launched on Friday, urging festival organizers to reconsider the late-night hours, as locals fear the impact on their community’s peace and safety.

Betty Chapman, a resident and spokesperson for the concerned community, emphasized that the issue is not with the festival itself, but rather its timing. “We’re not against concerts if they’re held during normal hours,” she stated. The festival, which will feature over 80 local and international acts across four stages, has previously drawn crowds of up to 7,000 people when held over two days in nearby Waipara, North Canterbury.

This year, the festival is moving to a new 62-hectare site at 240 Lower Styx Road and expanding to three days. Chapman noted that of approximately 30 properties affected by the festival, a core group of eight neighbors are particularly vocal about their concerns. She highlighted that depending on wind direction, noise from the festival could disturb residents in nearby Prestons and Burwood.

The lack of consultation has also raised eyebrows among residents. Chapman recounted an encounter with one of the festival organizers, who claimed that no other complaints had been received. “I thought what the. It’s the first time I’ve ever hung up on someone in more than 10 years,” she said, adding that many neighbors are reluctant to voice opposition due to holiday plans.

In response to community concerns, concert organizers have proposed covering alternative accommodation for residents during the festival and have promised to hire staff to manage street patrols and waste disposal. Despite these assurances, Chapman expressed skepticism about the safety of their homes and the potential for increased traffic, stating, “We’re going to have up to 10,000 people in the area on a very narrow two-lane road.”

The situation is compounded by the annual New Year’s Day gala nearby in Spencerville, which could exacerbate traffic congestion. Chapman, who has lived in the area for 14 years, lamented that they would not have moved there had they known a festival of this scale could be held. “Many of the residents are retired and came to the area for the peaceful lifestyle. We’re not happy,” she noted.

As preparations for the festival site commence, it remains uncertain whether all necessary permits have been secured. Mark Stevenson, head of planning and consents at the city council, confirmed that a revised proposal for the festival is under review and that they are awaiting further information from the organizers to continue processing the application. The festival lineup is expected to be unveiled on Monday.

Despite attempts to contact the Rolling Meadows organizers for comment, no response has been received. The growing tension between festival organizers and local residents highlights the challenges of hosting large-scale events in residential areas, especially when it comes to balancing community enjoyment with the need for peace and safety.