Law & Resources - Doof Parties Community Concerns

Our Position

We are not asking for these events to be banned. We are asking that they be conducted properly, within the law, with the appropriate permits, safety plans, infrastructure, and genuine community engagement.

Council Complaints & References

Multiple complaints have been lodged with Lismore Council and Police regarding these events. Below are the reference numbers for tracking these complaints:

Lismore Council Complaint References

11216/2023 — 31/10/23 (Illegal Development of a Building)
17364/2024 — Referenced in Dec 2024 email
1090087 — 17/12/24
1178353 — 04/06/25

Lismore Police Reference

E83126875 — December 2024 (Council has also been made aware)

Email Correspondence with Council

The following email thread documents nearly 2 years of attempts to engage with Lismore Council about these issues, with no meaningful response:

From: *** ***
To: Lismore City Council
Date: 31 October 2023
Subject: Complaint about illegal development
Council Request Number: 11216

Initial complaint lodged regarding illegal development and large-scale parties.

Council Response: Automated acknowledgment only. Category: "Illegal Development of a Building"

From: *** ***
To: Matt, Lismore City Council
Date: 17 December 2024 (1 year, 2 months later)
Subject: Re: Your Request No 11216/2023

Dear Matt,

I am writing to follow up regarding ongoing issues with large, disruptive parties on Fox Rd in Rosebank. It has now been over a year since I provided the council with details about these events, yet no effective action has been taken.

To clarify, these are the same individuals referenced in CRM 17364/2024, from the past weekend and I request that these details and my initial email be attached to that case or any recent event numbers raised.

This past weekend, another large-scale party took place, with hundreds of vehicles speeding up and down Fox Rd. As a result, the road—recently repaired by council—has already begun to deteriorate, with potholes reappearing.

The situation has escalated to the point where residents feel powerless. When we call the police, we are told they are unable to act due to the scale of these events and that we should contact the council instead. Unfortunately, despite providing detailed information last year, the council has taken no meaningful action.

We are all at our wits' end. These parties are disrupting the entire neighbourhood, damaging infrastructure, and creating safety risks. It is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs—whether it is a fatal accident on the road caused by reckless driving or a violent confrontation stemming from residents' growing frustration.

I must ask again: what is the council going to do about this?

Yours sincerely,
*** *** Cole

Council Response: No response received

From: *** ***
To: Lismore City Council
Date: 24 March 2025 (3 months later)
Subject: Re: Your Request No 11216/2023

Hi,

Just following up on this again.

Please respond.

Council Response: No response received

Summary of Council Engagement

Initial complaint: 31 October 2023 (Request #11216)
First follow-up: 17 December 2024 (1 year, 2 months later) — No response
Second follow-up: 24 March 2025 (3 months later) — No response
Total time without meaningful council response: Nearly 2 years

Key Legislation and Guidance (NSW / Lismore)

Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) — Council powers, approvals, and public land management.
Roads Act 1993 (NSW) — Use of public roads, closures, and obstructions.
Lismore City Council — Event Planning Guide & Resources — Local requirements, templates, and permits.
NSW Noise Guide for Local Government (EPA) — Offensive noise, measurement, and compliance.
NSW EPA — Noise resources — Policies, factsheets, and contacts.
NSW Music Festivals Act 2019 — Additional obligations for festival-scale events.

Typical Requirements for Legal, Safe Events

Council approvals and permits appropriate to the scale
Noise management plans and compliance with offensive noise rules
Traffic and parking management plans (no overflow onto public roads)
Emergency access and first aid plans
Professional security and crowd management
Sanitation, waste, and environmental management
Public liability insurance and risk assessments
Early and meaningful consultation with neighbours

Contacts

Lismore Police (non-urgent complaints): 02 6626 0599
Lismore City Council — Contact
NSW EPA — Contact