This information comes after Council approved the development applications for Heritage Rail Tour and Taste Riverina to be held in October.

Council voted unanimously in favor of holding the two events, despite concerns from residents about traffic conditions and possible noise pollution.

Councillor Anne Nappoli assured council the residents’ concerns had been properly addressed, and she has “every confidence” the traffic concerns had been looked at and noise will be kept to a relative minimum.

Luke Piccolo, the host of the October events, was encouraged by the outcome.

“It’s great that we can now run the events, as they are a positive look on this area and this town, and the people attending these events,” he said.

Council’s policy on events has been unclear for sometime, and came to a head in 2016 when Griffith man Peter Piccolo was issued with a fine from council, only to later have the infringement dismissed in court.

The long wait for event policy prompted Councilor Christine Stead, also Chairperson of the Tourism Management Committee, to say in the meeting she hopes to see the process move quickly here on out.

“The policy needs to come forward a little bit quicker ... I know we are working towards our policy, but this will help not only Luke, but every festival and every type of event that comes to Griffith.”

Later, Cr Stead told The Area News that policy approval is now “very close”.

“We are going to meet and go through it next week, and our Tourism and Events meeting, and it will be put through there as well, and it will be up for adoption within the 28 days, so anyone can look at and comment.”

Mr Piccolo is relieved the policy will be finalised soon.

“It is well over-due, and it’s something that will make it easier for people holding events in Griffith, and make it easier for them to do so without going through this process.”