A MUSIC festival proposed for Hamelin Bay has caused concern for the residents of the small coastal community.
The annual Southbound Festival held by Sunset Events may be shifted to the area from 2015 and would attract more than 10,000 punters as it now does in Busselton each year.
Almost 40 people attended the public meeting in Karridale, which was organised by Hamelin Bay resident Jane John.
"I'm a very optimistic person," Ms John said.
"But everyone there was against the festival for different reasons."
Ms John said fire risk and management was listed as the highest concern.
Other issues included traffic increases, environmental pressures, noise pollution and population pressure.
"Not only will it affect people who live here, it will also affect everyone who visits here," she said.
Augusta Margaret River Shire Council sustainable development director Iliya Hastings said the application is for two four-day events of up to 20,000 people and another for a single day/night event.
"The application will be assessed against the zone and range of policies applying to the area, including relevant fire and emergency management requirements," Mr Hastings said.
Sunset Events' managing director David Chitty said he was interested in addressing the concerns of local residents regarding fires, particularly because of the 2011 Margaret River bushfire tragedy. The Fire Management Plan involved in the application is a work-in-progress document prepared by Sunset Events and the Strategen consultant Roger Banks.
Mr Banks said the plan had also been prepared in close consultation with the Shire Council and relevant government departments.
"The Fire Management Plan aims to be self-protecting in the event of a major fire in the area," Mr Banks said.
"There are adequate muster points on the property.
"These sites are located on low-fuel areas and will contain the patrons on site rather than have them evacuate on local roads and create congestion should an incident occur."
Mr Banks said the security of the site will be paramount and fire suppression resources will be available.
Mr Chitty said Sunset Events sees a low fire risk for attendees, but also said there would be a large dam onsite as well as several fire fighting vehicles and trained fire fighters.
"All our fire equipment and personnel is independent of local fire brigade resources so we don't impact on that resource if there's a bushfire in the area unrelated to the event."
The Augusta Margaret River Shire Council is currently advertising the Sunset Events application for public comment.
Submissions can be made at amrshire.com.au and are due by November 8.
