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Consultation: Burning Seed Site & Date

Why We're Consulting

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

This isn't just about logistics or locations. Our community has faced significant challenges over recent years, and we've heard your voices through survey responses, informal conversations, and observation of declining participation. With 58% of our community identifying as or exploring neurodivergence, 31% feeling disconnected, and volunteer burnout threatening sustainability, we recognise that the decisions we make now will shape whether our ember continues to glow or fades away.

The considerations before us are genuinely complex. Moving from Matong to Capertee and potentially adjusting our dates isn't a simple administrative change—it touches on cultural legacy, operational sustainability, volunteer capacity, accessibility, geographic equity, and financial viability. These interconnected factors affect different community members in different ways, and no single perspective holds all the answers.

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

You are our community. The legitimacy and success of any change depends on your buy-in, your feedback, and your participation in shaping the path forward.

The decision is complex. Balancing site access challenges, volunteer sustainability, family and community needs, cultural legacy, financial considerations, and operational capacity requires diverse perspectives and careful consideration.

We've learned from the past. Top-down decisions without genuine community input don't work for burner communities. We're committed to doing this with your needs in mind.

Multiple voices matter. Theme camp organisers, artists, parents, regional burners, historical Burning Seed crew, volunteers, and newcomers all experience potential changes differently. Every perspective adds essential information.

Trust must be rebuilt. After recent challenges, transparent consultation where you genuinely shape outcomes is how we rebuild trust together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Sunburnt Arts is beginning a comprehensive community consultation to explore potentially changing our event location from Matong to Capertee and adjusting our event timing. This is an 8-week process where YOUR voice will directly shape the decision. We're genuinely asking whether change is the right path and, if so, how to make it successful.

Question: Why are we considering this change?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Answer: After 15 years at Matong State Forest, we face a critical decision about sustainability. Several interconnected factors have brought us to this point:

Financial Burden: Matong requires tens of thousands of dollars annually in road maintenance, fire-trail repairs, site permit fees, and environmental compliance with costs rising each year and no ceiling.

Volunteer Strain: The high infrastructure burden at Matong (building everything from scratch annually, extensive maintenance work) limits programming capacity and has led to volunteer burnout and retention issues.

Infrastructure Reality: Matong has no standing infrastructure—everything must be built temporarily each year, with full builds required for power, shade, and stages.

Community Priorities: Survey data showed strong community desire for financial sustainability (83%), better accessibility (70% want events closer to Sydney), and reduced volunteer burden.

This consultation will help us understand whether change addresses these challenges effectively and how to implement any change in ways that honour our community and culture.

Question: Are we abandoning Matong?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Answer: No, we are not abandoning Matong. If we move to Capertee, we envision a cyclical model where we return to Matong on a rotating basis (for example, 2-3 years at Capertee, then 1 year back at Matong). Matong holds deep cultural significance as the birthplace of Burning Seed, and we're exploring ways to honor that legacy while addressing current operational challenges. The cyclical approach would allow us to maintain our spiritual and practical connection to Matong while exploring new possibilities that may better serve our community's current needs.

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Answer: The core consultation runs for 8 weeks, followed by ongoing change management support. We know 8 weeks is fast, which is why we're providing multiple participation channels, over-communicating throughout, and ensuring written feedback options for those who need processing time.

Question: How can I participate?

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Question: Who will make the final decision?

Answer: We've designed multiple ways to ensure everyone can have their voice heard.

Focus Groups - Targeted sessions for specific communities with direct invitations and multiple date/time options.

Community Forums - Open sessions for all community members, offered both online and in-person with multiple scheduling options.

Written Feedback - Submit your thoughts anytime via email (tt@sunburntarts.org.au), online form, or anonymous submission. Written feedback remains open throughout the consultation period.

Regional Town Halls - Location-specific sessions for Newcastle/Hunter region, Interstate participants, Canberra/ACT, and other geographic communities.

One-on-One Conversations - Available by request with SBA leadership for those who prefer private discussion.

Question: Who will make the final decision?

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Question: Who will make the final decision?

Answer: The SBA Board will make the final decision based on:

Community consultation feedback from all participation channels
Operational feasibility including volunteer sustainability and capacity
Financial viability and long-term sustainability analysis
Legal and insurance considerations
Alignment with community values and cultural continuity

Your input will directly inform this decision. We commit to transparency about how community feedback shaped both the options considered and the final decision.

Question: Will you really listen to our feedback?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Answer: Yes, absolutely. This is genuine consultation. We will publish a "What We Heard" report in Week 6 showing all feedback themes, develop options based on your input, explain decision rationale that explicitly references community feedback, and continue engagement throughout implementation.

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Answer: To participate in the consultation and have your voice count in this decision, you do not need to be a member but we really would love your support! Membership ensures you're a genuine community stakeholder and helps us distinguish community input from external observers. Head to the members page of this website to find out more.

Membership is open to anyone who supports our mission and values, and it connects you to the broader Australian burner community year-round, not just during events.

Current members will receive direct consultation invitations and updates. If you're unsure of your membership status, contact us at [membership email].

Question: Who can I contact to have my say?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Who can I contact to have my say?

Answer: Register your thoughts any time via email. Contact tt@sunburntarts.org.au and your voice will be added into the consultation.

In addition, you can register your questions and they will be added to this FAQ page. This page will be updated weekly.

This page was updated on Monday, 20th October, 2025.

Understanding Matong vs Capertee

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Travel Distance (from Sydney):

Capertee: 3.5 hours, 285 km average
Matong: 6 hours, 474 km average
Capertee is 2.5 hours closer to Sydney, where 69% of our NSW-based community lives

Road Quality:

Capertee: Sealed roads with only 1km of graded access
Matong: Poor quality unsealed roads requiring extensive maintenance

Site Costs:

Capertee: $2,000 flat fee plus $10 per person over 500, no maintenance overheads
Matong: High permit fees plus tens of thousands annually in road maintenance, fire-trail repairs, and environmental compliance

Infrastructure:

Capertee: Power conduits throughout site, telephone poles for shade structures, back-of-stage shed, firefighting tanker onsite, free storage year-round, early/late access included
Matong: No standing infrastructure, everything built from scratch annually, limited storage, annual packout required

Medical Access:

Capertee: Nepean Hospital 3 hours, Rylstone Medical 38 minutes
Matong: Canberra Hospital 3.5 hours, Wagga Medical 50 minutes

Vehicle Access:

Capertee: Easy 2WD access, heavy vehicles okay, flood-free
Matong: Restricted truck access, flood risk, access restrictions

Question: What infrastructure already exists at Capertee?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Answer:

Capertee offers significant built-in infrastructure that would reduce volunteer setup burden:

Power Infrastructure: Electrical conduits are already installed throughout the site, ready for festival power distribution systems to be connected.

Shade Structure Support: Telephone poles are permanently installed across the site, providing ready mounting points for shade structures without requiring temporary pole installation.

Back-of-Stage Shed: A permanent structure available for equipment storage and operations center during the event.

Firefighting Capacity: A firefighting tanker is kept onsite, and the property owner is an ex-RFS captain with strong local Rural Fire Service connections.

Storage Included: Free onsite storage for equipment year-round, eliminating offsite storage costs and transport logistics.

Extended Access: Early setup and late packdown time included in the site agreement, reducing time pressure on volunteers.

This existing infrastructure means volunteers can focus energy on programming, community building, and creative work rather than building basic infrastructure from scratch each year.

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Answer: Geographic accessibility is a key concern raised in community surveys, with 70% of respondents indicating that accessibility for Sydney-based participants is very or somewhat important.
The community has dramatically shifted toward NSW over the past decade—69% of participants now come from NSW, up from 32% in 2015. The geographic epicenter is Inner Western Sydney.Capertee's location 2.5 hours closer to Sydney directly addresses this shift, potentially:

Reducing travel fatigue and costs for the majority of participants
Making day trips or shorter stays more feasible for some families
Lowering barriers for newcomers considering their first event
Reducing carbon footprint from travel
Improving safety with better sealed roads

However, we recognise this affects regional participants differently, which is why regional consultation sessions are essential to understanding the full impact.

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Reducing travel fatigue and costs for the majority of participants
Making day trips or shorter stays more feasible for some families
Lowering barriers for newcomers considering their first event
Reducing carbon footprint from travel
Improving safety with better sealed roads

However, we recognise this affects regional participants differently, which is why regional consultation sessions are essential to understanding the full impact.

Question: What about the volunteer workload difference?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What are the financial implications of each site?

Answer: Volunteer sustainability is one of the most critical factors in this decision. The infrastructure differences between sites have significant volunteer impact:

At Matong:

Everything must be built from scratch annually
Extensive road and fire-trail maintenance required (tens of thousands of dollars in labor/contractors)
High setup burden limits capacity for programming and community building
Maintenance work crowds out creative and cultural activities
Documented volunteer burnout and retention issues
Experienced volunteers leaving due to strain
Innovation constrained by infrastructure needs

At Capertee:

Existing infrastructure reduces setup burden significantly
Lower maintenance overhead frees volunteer capacity
More energy available for programming, community building, and creative work
Potential to improve volunteer retention by reducing burnout
Ability to innovate and experiment with community programming

The survey identified volunteer sustainability as a top concern. Capertee's infrastructure could directly address this by reducing the "effort vs. reward" imbalance that contributes to burnout.

Question: What are the financial implications of each site?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What are the financial implications of each site?

Answer: Financial sustainability is critical for our organisation's long-term viability.

Matong's Annual Costs:

Road maintenance: Tens of thousands of dollars annually for repairs, grading, and drainage
Fire-trail repairs: Tens of thousands of dollars annually for emergency works and compliance
Site permit fees: High and rising with no control or ceiling
Environmental compliance: Mandatory works with increasing requirements
Full temporary infrastructure: High costs to build everything annually
These costs have no ceiling and continue to rise each year

Capertee's Cost Structure:

$2,000 flat site fee plus $10 per person over 500
No maintenance overheads
Existing infrastructure reduces build costs
Free storage eliminates offsite storage fees
Predictable, controllable costs that enable financial planning

What This Means: Moving to Capertee could provide 2-3 years of financial breathing room to build organisational resilience, accumulate reserves, invest in community programmes, enable innovation and experimentation, and make decisions from strength rather than crisis.

The financial difference would allow us to redirect resources from maintenance and repairs into community programming, accessibility improvements, and cultural development.

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Answer: The recent community survey identified five top priorities. Here's how Capertee directly addresses them:

1. Strong NSW Community (83% priority): Capertee is located in NSW and is 2.5 hours closer to the 69% of community members who are NSW-based, strengthening local participation.

2. Financial Sustainability (High priority): The $2,000 flat fee versus tens of thousands in annual maintenance enables 2-3 years of financial recovery and stability.

3. Accessibility (70% want Sydney accessibility): 3.5 hours versus 6 hours from Sydney, 285km versus 474km average distance, better sealed roads improve access for the majority.

4. Community & Connection (76% priority): More volunteer capacity freed for programming and community building instead of infrastructure maintenance allows focus on connection.

5. Existing Infrastructure (High priority): Power conduits, shade poles, back-of-stage shed, firefighting tanker onsite, storage included, and early/late access reduce volunteer burden.

Question: What are the risks of moving to Capertee?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Answer: We're committed to transparency about both opportunities and challenges:

Capertee's Manageable Unknowns:

Learning curve with new site
DA (Development Application) requirements and approval processes
Community acceptance of change
Site capacity and layout optimisation

Mitigations We're Planning:

Site visits for community familiarisation before the event
Property owner has festival experience and supportive relationship
Survey data shows strong community support for addressing current challenges
Similar events at Capertee have successfully hosted 7,000+ people

Matong's Known, Worsening Problems:

Rising costs with no ceiling or control
Volunteer burnout accelerating
Infrastructure burden increasing
Environmental compliance requirements expanding
Road quality deteriorating

The consultation will help us understand whether Capertee's manageable unknowns are preferable to Matong's known, worsening challenges.

Question: What about emergency services and safety?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: What about emergency services and safety?

Answer: Emergency preparedness and medical access are critical safety considerations:

Capertee's Emergency Access:

Nepean Hospital: 3 hours
Rylstone Medical Center: 38 minutes
Better sealed road access improves emergency vehicle response times
Firefighting tanker onsite with ex-RFS captain owner
Strong local Rural Fire Service relationships
Flood-free site eliminates evacuation risks

Matong's Emergency Access:

Canberra Hospital: 3.5 hours
Wagga Medical: 50 minutes
Poor road quality can delay emergency response
Flood risk creates potential access restrictions
Remote location complicates emergency coordination

Shorter travel distances to medical facilities, better road conditions for emergency vehicles, and flood-free site access all improve safety margins at Capertee.

Date Change Questions

Question: Why are we considering changing dates?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Answer: We're exploring date changes to address multiple community needs:

Family accessibility: Better alignment with NSW school holidays to support parents and families
Weather optimisation: Potential for improved conditions (temperature, rainfall patterns, ability to burn)
Volunteer availability: Reduced conflicts with other commitments
Interstate participation: Consideration of school holiday alignment across states
Community calendar

Date options will be presented during consultation with comprehensive analysis of impacts on all community members.

Question: What date options are being considered?

Answer: We will present multiple date options during consultation with clear analysis including:

School holiday alignment across NSW and other states
Historical weather pattern analysis (temperature, rainfall, wind data)
Interstate travel implications (flight availability, costs)
Volunteer availability considerations
Event planning timeline impact
Conflicts with other community events

Your feedback will help us understand which trade-offs are acceptable to the community.

Question: How will date changes be communicated?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: How will date changes be communicated?

Answer: If dates change, we commit to:

Extensive advance notice: Well over a year before any implemented date change
School holiday analysis for all Australian states, not just NSW
Clear reasoning about why specific dates were chosen
Impact analysis on different community segments (families, interstate, regional)
Financial planning support understanding that date changes may affect budgets
Ongoing communication about implementation timeline

Cultural and Community Questions

Question: What about Burning Seed history and culture?

Answer: Our history and cultural legacy are precious. After 15 years at Matong State Forest, we recognise the deep significance of that place in building our community and tradition. We're committed to:

Honoring Burning Seed legacy and those who built it over years at Matong
Cyclical model exploration to maintain physical and spiritual connection to Matong
Cultural continuity practices that travel with us regardless of location
Legacy recognition including documentation and commemoration of Matong's significance
Shared values preservation ensuring participation, immediacy, and radical self-expression continue

Culture is made by people as well as the places— we recognise place matters, which is why the cyclical model is central to our thinking. This is a strategic bridge to sustainability, not permanent abandonment of Matong.

Question: How will this affect community cohesion?

Question: What about Burning Seed history and culture?

Answer: We recognise change can create division. Our approach to maintaining cohesion includes transparent and inclusive consultation where all voices are heard, acknowledgment of all perspectives including those who disagree, consensus-building where possible, respectful disagreement management, Change Champions network for peer support, and regular community check-ins.

Survey data showed concerning gaps in our community ecosystem, particularly 31% feeling disconnected and challenges with communication and inclusion. This consultation is designed to rebuild trust and connection through genuine participation in decision-making.

Question: What if I disagree with the final decision?

Question: What about Burning Seed history and culture?

Question: What if I disagree with the final decision?

Answer: Healthy communities can navigate disagreement. We commit to:

Hearing all voices, not just the loudest
Acknowledging dissenting views explicitly in decision documentation
Providing support for everyone through the outcome, regardless of their position
Creating space for ongoing dialogue and adjustment
Focusing on shared values that unite us even when we disagree on tactics

The goal isn't unanimous agreement—it's legitimate process, transparent decision-making, and community support through whatever we decide together.

Practical Questions

Question: How much will this cost participants?

Answer: Financial accessibility remains a priority. We will provide comprehensive cost analysis including:

Ticket pricing implications and how costs may shift
Travel cost comparisons (fuel, flights, time) by region
Theme camp transport costs and potential support mechanisms
Accommodation costs for those who need off-site lodging
Financial assistance programs and payment plan options

The lower site costs at Capertee may create opportunities to keep ticket prices stable or invest savings in community programmes and accessibility improvements.

Question: When will we know the final decision?

Question: How much will this cost participants?

Answer: The decision will be announced at the end of Week 8 of the consultation process. You will receive:

Official announcement via email to all community members
Comprehensive rationale document explaining the decision
"What We Heard" report showing how feedback shaped the outcome
Decision-specific FAQ addressing implementation questions
Change management resources to support transition
Implementation timeline with clear milestones

Question: When do focus groups start?

Question: How much will this cost participants?

Answer: Focus groups begin in Week 3 of the consultation process October 20, 2025, with registration opening prior.

You will receive direct invitations if you're part of targeted communities, registration links with session details, multiple date/time options to maximise participation, and format choices (online or in-person where available).

More details will be added in the coming weeks.

Question: Where can I submit written feedback?

Question: Who can I contact with questions or concerns?

Answer: Written feedback can be submitted through:

Email: tt@sunburntarts.org.au

Question: How will I stay informed?

Question: Who can I contact with questions or concerns?

Answer: We're using multiple communication channels:

Email updates: Regular messages to all community members (weekly during consultation)
Website consultation hub (this page): Central information source updated throughout
Facebook: Posts on official SBA page with major updates
Slack: Updates in relevant Burner workspaces

You can choose which channels work best for you—information will be consistent across all.

Question: Who can I contact with questions or concerns?

Answer: Multiple contact points are available:

General questions: tt@sunburntarts.org.au
Membership questions: via this website
One-on-one conversation requests:

Board@sunburntarts.org.au

We commit to responding to all inquiries within 48 hours during the consultation period.

Consultation: Burning Seed Site & Date

Why We're Consulting

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

Our Community is at the Heart of Everything We Do

Feedback Form : Have your say!

We want to hear from you

Add your questions, share your opinions.

Sunburnt Arts

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Question: Why are we considering this change?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Question: Are we abandoning Matong?

Question: Why is this consultation happening?

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Question: How can I participate?

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Question: Who will make the final decision?

Question: Who will make the final decision?

Question: How long will this consultation take?

Question: Who will make the final decision?

Question: Will you really listen to our feedback?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Who can I contact to have my say?

Question: Do I need to be a member to participate?

Question: Who can I contact to have my say?

Understanding Matong vs Capertee

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: What infrastructure already exists at Capertee?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What are the key differences between Matong and Capertee as site options?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What about the volunteer workload difference?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What are the financial implications of each site?

Question: What are the financial implications of each site?

Question: How does travel distance affect community participation?

Question: What are the financial implications of each site?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: What are the risks of moving to Capertee?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: What about emergency services and safety?

Question: How does Capertee address community priorities from the survey?

Question: What about emergency services and safety?

Date Change Questions

Question: Why are we considering changing dates?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: How will date changes be communicated?

Question: What date options are being considered?

Question: How will date changes be communicated?

Cultural and Community Questions

Question: What about Burning Seed history and culture?

Question: What about Burning Seed history and culture?

Question: What about Burning Seed history and culture?

Question: How will this affect community cohesion?