Council statement following recent community events

Published on 13 October 2025

The City of Whittlesea has received several complaints following recent community-led events at Mernda Recreation Reserve.

The Basant Kite Festival (28 September 2025) and Dussehra Mela (4 October 2025) were independently organised events and each received a community grant.

Anyone who hosts an event in a public space in the City of Whittlesea must obtain an event permit which outlines conditions and responsibilities of the organiser. 

As part of event permit conditions, organisers must ensure no damage to the site and that all waste is removed. The Basant Kite Festival organisers breached this condition. Council promptly deployed clean-up crews to remove a large number of kites from the reserve, surrounding trees, and neighbouring properties. Clean-up efforts are ongoing to remove kites in difficult-to-access areas.

The costs incurred in the clean-up will be recovered from the Basant Kite Festival organisers, in line with Council’s enforcement powers under the event permit.

Following the Dussehra event on 4 October, Council inspected the site and found it left in good condition, with no breach of event permit conditions.

However, we are actively investigating a recent report of rubbish dumped into a nearby creek by individuals after the event. The City of Whittlesea takes all reports of littering and illegal dumping seriously and will take enforcement action, including issuing fines.

While we support community activities in public spaces, organisers must take responsibility for public safety, maintaining cleanliness, and complying with event permit conditions as well as Council’s Local Law.

Council will pursue enforcement action, including cost recovery, against any group or individual who tries to avoid their responsibilities. Organisers who breach event permit conditions may be denied future permits and community grants.