The cancellation of a music event planned for the Carrington Pump House after community complaints has left organisers shocked and disappointed just weeks out from the gig.
The two-day Pump House Sessions was set to go ahead at the historic site on November 9 and 10. Tickets were put on sale on October 17 for the event, with 3000 tickets available for each day.
But Port of Newcastle, which operates the pump house and completed extensive restoration to the site in recent years, pulled its support of the event after neighbours and port users raised concerns.
"Our reaction was disbelief," Pump House Sessions organiser Nathaniel Holmes said. "It was completely out of the blue.
"We'd notified ILGA (Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority), the police, had a health and medical plan. We were on sale."
A Port of Newcastle spokesperson said a letterbox drop was put out about four weeks before the event date, which resulted in negative feedback.
"Many recipients contacted Port of Newcastle with concerns about the lack of information provided, and safety of the proposed event," the spokesperson said.
"The service of alcohol coupled with large crowds of people at the entrance to a major operational port, which includes heavy truck and rail movements, present safety concerns that outweigh the benefits of this event to port users and the community.
"Port of Newcastle's assessment of the risks, coupled with feedback from port users and community, informed our decision to not proceed with the event for attendees and anyone adjacent to the port."
Mr Holmes said he was disappointed the organisers were not given a chance to work through community concerns and that the port pulled the pin after tens of thousands of dollars were invested in the event.
"It's a bit embarrassing to be honest," he said.
"We produce major events for a living, we know what we're doing. We knew they were operational 24/7 and we would have worked through what that was going to mean.
"Throughout it all they had ample time to say 'we have concerns about this'. We wanted to understand the concerns and be given a chance to respond."
The port said a signed licence agreement was not in place for the event, but Mr Holmes said an agreement had been drafted and reviewed.
The Port of Newcastle spokesperson said the port had "heard the community loud and clear, and we recognise and understand their frustration and disappointment at the cancellation of the Pumphouse Sessions event".
"While there are lessons we have learned from this experience, we are steadfast in our commitment to the safety of our community and maintain that the right decision has been made," they said.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp also weighed into the issue, saying "we should be activating our city, not holding it back and cancelling events".
"While I understand that there may be safety and security concerns, it is very disappointing that the Port of Newcastle and the promoters of the Pump House Sessions could not find a way to work through these issues and save the event," he said.
"Having a thriving night time economy and live music scene are key priorities for both the Labor government and I.
"The Pumphouse is a significant part of Newcastle's history and is a valuable community asset. It needs to be activated and utilised. Festivals and other creative ventures are a great way to use this community asset."
Despite the disappointment, Mr Holmes said organisers wanted to continue speaking with the port and hoped they could hold an event in the future.
"We still think event has a lot of potential, now the port has learned what it's learned, hopefully everyone can factor that feedback into future plans," he said.
But the port has poured cold water on those hopes.
"Given the safety concerns raised, it is unlikely PON would consider an event such as this in the future," the spokesperson said.
