Music Festival Organisers Threaten Legal Action Against Council For Denying Permit

Organisers of Melbourne outdoor music festival Maitreya Festival are threatening the local council with legal action after it was announced today that a three-year permit at the event's location, Wooroonook Lakes, has been denied. 

As a statement posted to the festival Facebook page today reads, both Buloke Shire Council and Parks Victoria have denied the festival a permit. 

"Buloke Shire Council and Parks Victoria has unfortunately acted without sufficient consultation with their community, and has now forced us into a position of having to take them to court over there decision to knock back our 3 year permit at Wooroonook Lakes," the online post reads.

"They don't have a legal or moral leg to stand on, don't have the support of their community, and are now going to spend community money trying to defend their position by allowing us to take them to court. When will councils in rural Victoria learn the cultural and financial significance of music festivals?"

After being contacted by The Music, a Buloke Shire Council spokesperson referred to a report taken from a council meeting this week, which outlined the following reasons as to why the council issued a Notice of Decision to Refuse Planning Permit Application to the festival organisers. 

• The absence of an approved Cultural Heritage Management Plan

• Insufficient information in relation to traffic management on site

• Insufficient information relating to waste management on site

• Insufficient information in relation to amenity facilities and their maintenance

• Insufficient information in relation to potential impacts on native vegetation

• No consent  to use the land described as Crown Allotment 67D, Parish of Wooroonook

• No consent  to use the land described as Crown Allotment 67E, F and G, Parish of Wooroonook

According to the report, festival organisers failed to submit a full application for the event, which "consisted only of a cover letter and incomplete planning permit application form, an event plan and a proposed venue map."

It also reads that the council sent four letters to organisers requesting more information between September-January. 

Organisers have since launched a petition to contest the ruling which has garnered nearly 1200 signatures, already beating its target of 1000. 

The festival is scheduled to take place from 11-14 March and includes three stages, markets and food outlets, while most punters would be camping on site. 

The Music has contacted Parks Victoria for further comment.