There is a cloud of doubt over whether the Agnew Street Party will go ahead in 2020.
The annual Agnew Street Party is often referred to as Hyde’s “ugly step-sister”. Last year’s event raised safety concerns, with the low temperatures and rain creating a slipping hazard on the steep street. Ambulance staff were called out after people fell ass-first in gutters filled with glass.
Because of the risks involved, the Vice Chancellor’s Discipline Report for 2019 states that, “there is discussion underway with community partners and OUSA as to where to take this event for 2020”.
“OUSA will not be providing logistical support to the Agnew Street Party at this point in time,” said OUSA President Jack Manning. “We have not been asked by the residents for any support. Our events team already have a very full calendar planned for throughout the year so would likely not have resources available.” He went on to suggest that if residents continue with the party, they should register it with Good One to ensure that they receive advice and support on the risks involved.
Josh, an organiser from 2018, was concerned about the possibility that the party would not go ahead. He predicted that “[i]f they stop it some shagger will try do it themselves and shit will hit the fan”.
The Disciplinary Report notes that the “organisers of their own volition closed the event early for safety reasons” in 2019. The University sees Agnew as less organised than Hyde and therefore more likely to involve alcohol related risks. The Report states “[T]he event has morphed from a smaller localised street event that several hundred attend, to what is now a large street party involving thousands.”
Jack Manning highlighted that the “decision on whether the Agnew Street Party goes ahead or not needs to be led by the residents”. One of the main Agnew organisers from 2017-2019 shared the same view as the University. That organiser was reluctant to see the party continue in its original form, stating that “it has outgrown the small street and it is now a huge health and safety issue. Logistically and safety wise I don’t see it happening.”
Another Agnew organiser from 2018 agrees that there has been a steady growth of students attending over the years. “I think in 2018 we had roughly 4000-6000 people on the street and only eight arrests.” He added, “I thought [that] was not bad at all”.
The University’s Report stated “numbers again grew in 2018 - with the event now at similar levels to the failed 2012 Hyde Street Event.” The Report refers to the Hyde Street keg party that gathered an estimated 5000 people, and is infamous for a roof collapse in which St John paramedics treated 80 people throughout the event.
The possibility that Agnew may not go ahead was met with either indifference or disappointment by students. One previous organiser believes “it’s a terrible idea to can it. It’s a big event on the Dunedin calendar.” Another former organiser agreed, believing that the Party has “potential to be bigger than Hyde if the right groups get involved… There is heaps of momentum from the last few years.”
An attendee from the previous two years looks forward to a good rage on Agnew, and believed it would be an “utter disgrace and scandal” if the street party is cut. On the other hand, another past attendee would “rather hit up Hyde,” but is “curious to see what happens to Agnew”.
While discussions continue between the University and OUSA, there is a possibility that Agnew will be shut down before it even begins. Freshers may have to hold off until Hyde in their second year for that juicy sweet street party fix.