Senior Police from the Mudgee Local Area Command have expressed their strong opposition to a marathon music festival planned for the Lithgow area later this month.

Lithgow City Council is due to meet next Monday to consider approval of the five-day, non-stop “Psyfari” festival.

Mudgee Local Area Commander, Superintendent Anthony Joice, has grave safety concerns about the proposed party.

“Along with the local fire and ambulance services, we have done a safety assessment regarding this event and deem it to be high risk,” Superintendent Joice said.

“The plan is to stage the festival in remote bushland where there is no mobile phone coverage and unreliable emergency radio communications.

“There could be delays in getting emergency services to the isolated location if there is a need for a large scale medical response.

“Last year, there was a report of an assault at the festival and the alleged victim walked more than 15 kilometres to seek assistance.

“Organisers are expecting more than five thousand people to attend the event yet the planning application suggests there will be very few security officers on hand.

“Some parents have also expressed their concerns about the potential use of drugs and alcohol at the Glen Alice rave party,” Superintendent Joice added.

Police cannot access the property without the owner’s permission and the party is being advertised as a BYO event.

“I can understand the parents’ anger,” Superintendent Joice said.

“Three young men died in a car crash on the Bells Line Of Road after leaving the same event last year.”

An inquest into those deaths is expected early next year.