Axed Festival's Organisers Reject Council Accusations

Organisers of the recently-axed Maitreya Festival have hit back at the local council who yesterday reiterated their call to cancel the event and suggested that "illegal works" were being conducted at the site location, by releasing a statement advising fans that they are doing everything possible to challenge the decision. 

Buloke Shire Council allege that festival management have not provided sufficient documentation regarding a permit for the venue location, Wooroonook Lakes, despite a number of warnings.

However in a Facebook post shared today, organisers claim that just one document was outstanding. 

"The only out standing document ended up being a cultural heritage management plan. All other documents that have been asked for have been given to the shire," the statement reads. 

"We have been working for two years with Uncle Rick Nelson a recognised Dja Dja elder of the area on indigenous sensitivity and inclusion, and our program this year is more substantial than ever, and seeks to forge a stronger relationship with the traditional owners of Lake Wooroonook.

"The program centres around a sacred fire, so that education programs and cultural messages of caring for the land and spirit can be passed from caretaker to caretaker, the same as they have been at the lake since the dreamtime. We are proud to present this important cultural exchange to you, and hope you can immerse yourself in it!

"Currently the council is continuing to refuse to exercise its ability to give consent to use the land under council law 62."

Read the full statement below.

The festival was scheduled to take place in one week, from 11-14 March, in what would be its tenth anniversary.