RESTLESS Maitreya Festival fans have taken to the internet to vent their anger over a lack of information sharing about the event's future.
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With only nine days until the March 11-14 event is advertised to kick into action, restless ticket-holders are no clearer whether the event will go-ahead and where, or if they are entitled to a refund.
VCAT earlier this week upheld a Buloke Shire Council decision not to issue the organisers of the electronic music and alternative lifestyle festival with a permit to stage the event at Wooroonook Lakes, near Charlton.
The central Victorian council successfully argued it could not grant a permit after documents, including insurance, security bonds, emergency contingency plans, and agreements with Liquor Licensing and Ambulance Victoria, were not lodged by festival organisers.
A council briefing is scheduled tonight (Wednesday) in Nandaly.
It is the first time the shire's seven councillors, including mayor Reid Mather, have met since Monday's VCAT ruling.
The council is adamant the festival, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, will not go ahead in Buloke Shire.
That has not stopped organisers emailing stall holders to say they were "still moving ahead" with the festival, with a markets area being plotted out at Wooroonook Lakes.
The email - seen by the Bendigo Advertiser - says "market stall tickets will be issued electronically via try-booking" in the coming days.
It states organisers are "aware of the furore occurring on social media at present".
But ticket-holders remain in the dark, with many expressing their frustration on the event's Facebook page.
Some have blasted organisers for their poor communication since the VCAT decison was handed down, while other have insisted the festival will go ahead.
One Melbourne woman branded public relations efforts as "p*** poor".
"People seem to forget it is the long weekend, back up venues are probably already booked out with other events. Pull your finger out and let the paying customers know what is happening it's only fair you do that instead of continuing to make excuses."
A fellow ticket-holder said she was expecting a full refund of $600 for two tickets should the event not go ahead.
"Unfortunately the work I have taken off won't be refunded ... I will not be attending if the date is moved to later in the year," she said.
Festival organisers have not responded to questions from the Bendigo Advertiser.
A statement released on social media on Tuesday said they were considering the impacts of the VCAT hearing and “a formal statement and heaps of other information” would be issued soon.
Tickets costing $300 are still being advertised for sale on the festival's website.
