Ongoing monitoring of the Wangaratta Rodeo Grounds, as a former landfill site, means the rodeo component of December's Wangaratta Regfest event will not take place in 2025.
However, the concert which forms part of the 5-6 December event - featuring artists including Adam Brand, The Wolfe Brothers and local Travis Sinclair - will proceed.
Rural City of Wangaratta director community and infrastructure Marcus Goonan said council, as land manager for the rodeo grounds (a former landfill site), had a duty to conduct ongoing monitoring of all landfill sites on land it managed - even if it hadn't managed the landfill.
"Over the past few years, changes in various acts have required us to adjust our management practices for both current and former landfill locations," he said.
"Currently, we are working closely with DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the landowner) to develop the necessary management plans to ensure the return of all events to the site in the near future.
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"While this doesn't impact all events, it is, unfortunately, beyond council's control.
"There is absolutely no risk to the environment or human health posed by the current site."
The rodeo grounds have previously hosted the 2023 and '24 Regfest events, and were the venue for Project 365's 2023 'Ripple Effect' show; this year's Project 365 show was shifted from the rodeo grounds to Avian Park.
Regfest 2025 organisers said the concert component would be held at an alternative nearby site (positioned between the rodeo grounds and the Barr Reserve netball courts), as a suitable local site which would enable the rodeo to be held could not be identified.
