Industry peak body urges Maitreya Festival organisers to refund owed money

AUSTRALIA'S peak live performance body is calling on the promoter and ticketing company for the cancelled Maitreya Festival to break their silence and advise patrons on how to get a refund.

Organisers of the electronic music and alternative lifestyle festival pulled the pin on the event on Thursday, a day before the four-day event was to begin at Charlton.

The cancellation came after the Buloke Shire Council refused to grant the promoter a permit to operate and a number of concerns raised by emergency services, including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Country Fire Authority.

Live Performance Australia chief executive Evelyn Richardson said while neither the festival promoter or ticketing company were LPA members, the organisation was "very concerned" the festival had been cancelled and consumers not being advised how to get refunds.

"Under Australian Consumer law, consumers are entitled to a refund when an event is cancelled," she said.

LPA administers the Ticketing Code of Practice for the live performance industry.

Ms Richardson said a key objective of the code was to promote 'best practice' in order to protect consumers and the reputation of the live performance industry.

"It is the view of LPA that all ticketing companies should comply with the Ticketing Code of Practice," she said.

Angry ticket holders have been demanding refunds on the festival’s Facebook page.

The cancellation was announced on the festival's facebook page on Thursday before 2pm.

"To the dear people of our tribe, we are having to call off the event due to the weather that has occurred up on site the past 24 hours," the post reads. "There is no safe way into and out of the site. We urge you not to come as it is not safe onsite. Thank you for all your support and we will be in touch soon. X Maitreya team."

It followed an earlier Facebook and Twitter post which was strangely deleted.

"We are really sorry but Maitreya 2016 has been cancelled," the previous post read. "Due to circumstances beyond our control it is with a heavy heart that I now come to inform you that the Festival will not proceed as planned.

"We've tried every possible avenue of keeping our beautiful festival afloat, but unfortunately as of early this morning that is no longer possible. We will provide you a full update as soon as we can. We're so sorry for this and are beyond devastated ourselves."

Festival organisers have refused all attempts for comment from the Brendigo Advertiser.

Buloke Shire Council said the event would have been unrecognisable if it went ahead.

It’s full statement appears below:

The Maitreya Festival has cancelled the festival at Wooroonook Lakes on its website today (Thursday) just after 1pm.  Even before this it was clear the festival would have been unrecognisable this year.  Not only had nearly all the food vendors pulled out but the partly constructed toilets wouldn’t have been serviced and the security and fire protection contractors had withdrawn.  

Previously contracted sound and lighting companies had decided not to attend but that is probably a moot point because the rental companies providing power and other facilities are removing their generators and light towers from the site. Without power, the music won’t be the same and the lack of lighting will see activities finishing early.  The weather was also looking grim with rain scheduled for Sunday. 

The CFA has banned cooking fires; enforcing this with on the spot fines.

To cap it all off, the festival’s insurance company had cancelled its policy.  

Festival goers will not find a festival if they do arrive and should be careful not to attend.  No facilities will be available.  The local Charlton Forum is advising festival goers not to come.