Locals fight to save Maitreya festival

The rural Australian community of Charlton in Victoria's north-west is fighting to save Maitreya festival after the local council's decision to deny organisers a permit was upheld by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

The festival is supposed to be celebrating its 10th anniversary next weekend from March 11 to 14 at Wooroonook Lakes, just outside the town, with Âme, Robert Babicz, Sébastien Léger and more. But the event is now in doubt after VCAT ruled that Buloke Shire's decision, annouced less than a month ago, would stand.

The drought-affected community, made up largely of farmers and small business owners, is now working 24/7 to try to convince Buloke Shire to let the festival go ahead. Last year Maitreya provided the area with a much-needed boost from the through traffic of thousands of festival-goers and an on-site community barbecue supporting local sporting clubs, the kindergarten and fire brigade.

Maitreya is yet to make a statement since the VCAT ruling, and on Tuesday posted on Facebook: "We know you're waiting to hear from us so wanted to drop by and tell you we're busy considering the impacts of the VCAT hearing. We'll update you with a formal statement and heaps of further information as soon as we can."

Meanwhile, the Save Maitreya page is buzzing with activity from Charlton locals who are pointing out Buloke Shire has the power to allow the festival to go ahead.

The reason council gave for denying the festival a permit was that organisers had not submitted appropriate documentation to have their application approved. However, festival organiser Lachlan Bell told The Age he had been working with the council since last April and submitted the applications in August, but they were not forwarded to the right agencies until January. Buloke Shire Mayor Reid Mather said the decision was made with "great disappointment."

"The council and the community have been let down by a promoter who simply could not get the needed information and reports together to enable his application to be approved," he told The Age.

But it's strange the council has not shown more support and a willingness to work with the festival, given the estimated $2 million boost it gave to the local economy last year and the fact the community feels so passionately it should go ahead.

Thousands of festival-goers are still unsure whether they will be listening to techno in the bush at Maitreya next week, and are awaiting an official announcement from the festival. Charlton locals are trying to make sure they will be doing just that at Wooroonook Lakes.

You can support the Save Maitreya Facebook page here.

Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Online News Editor, follow him on Twitter.