RED tape has forced the cancellation of a family-friendly Pokemon Go walk planned for Bathurst this Sunday.
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The city’s inaugural Pokemon Go walk was planned for Mount Panorama, and by late Friday more than 220 people had confirmed they were coming along.
A further 330 said they were interested in attending the event which was launched on a Facebook event page.
Bathurst men Samuel Kennedy and Patrick Kelly were the organisers behind the walk and told the Western Advocate earlier this week that they were keen for more gamers to come along.
But late Thursday, Mr Kennedy posted to the social media event page that the event had been cancelled.
“Unfortunately I have had to cancel the Pokemon Go event for this Sunday at Mount Panorama in Bathurst,” he wrote.
“The event got too big, and with it not being covered by public liability insurance, or a traffic management plan and not being sanctioned by council, at this late stage we have had to call it off.
“Sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused.”
His post to fellow gamers on the event page drew an immediate reaction.
“I was coming from Penrith,” Adam Payne posted to the Facebook page.
Speaking with the Advocate on Friday, Mr Kennedy said he was extremely disappointed to be forced to cancel it at late notice.
“It was due to public liability. Because we didn’t have a road plan, council said no,” he said.
“I’m a little upset to tell you the truth.”
Earlier this week, Chifley Local Area Command (LAC) police also expressed concern on social media about the large numbers of people expected to attend the event.
“Pedestrians can be issued on the spot fines of up to $72 if they cause an obstruction and or cross the road inappropriately,” they posted to their Facebook page.
“Chifley LAC will continue to conduct its regular patrols of the Mount Panorama roadway as will the Highway Patrol.
“If necessary they will be taking appropriate action to ensure that all people are safe and the free flow of traffic is maintained.”
Chifley LAC duty officer Inspector Colin Cracknell told the Advocate on Friday that the “ideology around a family fun day is brilliant” but appropriate paperwork must be completed first.
“The NSW Police Force would be willing to ensure a safe event provided a submission of a form one under the summary offences act has been completed,” he said.