Maitreya Festival has been cancelled by promoters

One day before it was due to kick off, Maitreya Festival has been cancelled by promoters.

After a week spent battling local police, firefighters and council, this afternoon promoters announced on their Facebook page that the event will not go ahead. “We’ve tried every possible avenue of keeping our beautiful festival afloat, but unfortunately as of early this morning that is no longer possible,” they wrote. “We are so sorry for this and beyond devastated ourselves.”

Maitreya’s troubles began when they failed to secure a permit for the festival, which was set to take place from March 11 – 14 in the rural Victorian town of Charlton. Promoters pushed on despite the lack of council approval, pledging to move Maitreya to a new site “down the road” from their original site at Lake Wooroonook. But with services like St Johns Ambulance withdrawing from the event, both Victorian police and the Country Fire Authority warned punters to stay away.

“We’re staggered that despite failing to obtain the most basic permits organisers are determined to push ahead,” Country Fire Association District 18 Operations Manager John Bigham said. “It’s simply irresponsible to hold such a large event without even the most basic services including water, toilets, showers, medical care or fire management services.” The CFA also disputed Maitreya’s claims that they had secured a second site.

Yesterday acts originally on the Maitreya bill began withdrawing from the event, with internationals DigiCult announcing they believe promoters have been “deliberately deceiving” artists and punters alike. Reports on social media today say that heavy rain has bogged the festival site.

Promoters haven’t yet advised whether they plan to offer ticket-holders refunds, but have promised to provide “a full update as soon as we can”.

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