Tommy Griffiths and Michael Furner were behind the Vagrants Project, a concert series that aimed to highlight experimental musicians in unused spaces in Bathurst.

The pair said they had taken every precaution they thought possible, including liaising with the property owners, organising insurance, informing police about the concerts and arranging individual liquor licences for each venue.

They say the concerts had attracted interest within the local community and from outside Bathurst, but their plans were brought undone when Bathurst Regional Council contacted them just three weeks before the first concert was due to insist they lodge a development application for each venue.

“Last Thursday, Michael got a call from someone at council asking what we were doing and why we were doing it, and they were almost amazed we hadn’t gone through them,” Mr Griffiths told the Western Advocate.

“The reason we didn’t go through council was because of all the crazy paperwork and middle management.”

The organisers agreed to meet with council staff to discuss the event, with Mr Griffiths saying they went in “with an open mind” to ensure Vagrants could go ahead.

But they were told the concerts posed a threat to public safety and organisers would have to go to the expense of lodging a DA – and waiting for a full review of the project – before going ahead.

Council general manager David Sherley yesterday told the Western Advocate that its decision to intervene was to “provide initial advice in relation to the approval processes for the venues, which are legally required”.

Venues that previously operated as performance spaces were fine to be used, however ones that hadn’t been used for that purpose required approval from council.

“The approval process includes a development application where council would look at issues such as fire safety and evacuation processes, amenities and noise concerns,” Mr Sherley said.

“These legislative processes are designed to ensure the safety and amenity of those attending the events.

“At this stage, a development application has not been received by council so the proposal has not been formally assessed. In organising a public event a number of approvals may be required including that of police, insurers, council and liquor licensing.”

Mr Griffiths said he understood council was trying to keep the public safe, but believed it had missed an opportunity to help create a major cultural event for Bathurst.

“This would have been an event that would have brought people to Bathurst and they would have gone out to eat before the event and gone for drinks after, which would have contributed to the economy,” he added, saying Vagrants had already generated interest from people in Sydney.

The cancellation of Vagrants has ignited a broader discussion about the level of support the arts receives from council in Bathurst.

Mr Griffiths said that council came across as very active in its promotion of sporting events and facilities, but was lacking in its support of arts and culture, leaving that community to create its own entertainment.

“I do feel there are more supported sporting events than there are arts events and I don’t see why,” he said.

“I feel like there is an opportunity to make big arts events that are supported by council. We are so much more than a racetrack.”

Mr Sherley said council supported a range of cultural events, including the Inland Sea of Sound and Bathurst Eisteddfod, and advised organisers wanting to introduce new events to consult with council first.

“Event organisers are encouraged to seek council’s advice and direction in planning events so that we can work together to ensure the legal requirements are met, while supporting the growth and diversity of cultural activities in the community,” he said.

Mr Griffiths and Mr Furner say they intend to bring Vagrants back to the Bathurst community and are prepared to work with council in the future if that is what it takes.

“I just don’t want it to be twisted and broken into something that is not the original idea,” Mr Griffiths said.