The 2013 Santos Food and Fire festival has been moved from the Big Rig Parklands to Bassett Park.

Maranoa Council endorsed the change of venue for the popular biennial festival despite concerns over the loss of ambience.

Cr Wendy Newman said the change of venue would allow continued growth of attending patrons as well as providing access to adequate power, parking and amenities.

"The change now means the event will be able to sufficiently cater for larger numbers with ample parking and no necessity for blocking roads, as well as generous space for staging, market stalls and food vendors," Cr Newman said.

"It will also provide access to kitchen and cold room facilities for community chefs and groups in the main pavilion, which may entice even more food vendors to share their diverse and delicious cuisines."

Cr Newman said Council was aware the community may be concerned about the festival's ambience being changed at the larger venue and this would be taken into account in preparation.

According to the Council report advocating the change, Bassett Park had better power, parking and amenities.
The date for the Santos Food and Fire Fest 2013 is set for Saturday, 14 September.

Big Rig Parklands Pros and Cons
pros:                                                           
•Atmosphere - relaxed, picnic style ambience
•Grassed, well maintained spaces
•The Miniature Train Attraction
•Location of Big Rig Museum on same site
•Information centre - co-located on site
•Duck pond can be utilised as a water feature
•Children's interactive exhibit due for installation prior to next event

cons:
•Size of this site restricts future growth of the event
•Restricted electrical infrastructure and power supply
•To grow event would need to invest approximately $60,000 on site to upgrade power
•Limited parking and the need to block access to the site
•Inadequate number of amenities on site
•Surface of area allocated to stall holders and percentage of public areas are uneven
•Unsuitable location for fireworks