Playground Weekender Ticket Refund Situation 'Absolutely Devastating'

It's only getting worse for those seeking refunds on tickets to the ill-fated Playground Weekender festival, with organisers informing patrons that they'll need to co-ordinate getting their hard-earned dollars back themselves.

The festival was scheduled to take place at Del Rio Resort at Wiseman's Ferry, NSW from March 2-4, but was cancelled 36 hours out when Mother Nature crashed the party with a phenomenal weather shitstorm. With the event not covered for natural disasters, organisers have been left over $1 million out of pocket, with salt rubbed into the wounds by an additional $1.8 million owed following a company restructure.

Organisers scrambled to make the most of the dire situation by organising a series of replacement gigs and assuring patrons that every avenue for refunds was being explored. Even so, not everything has turned out quite so peachy. Those lucky few who purchased tickets via GreenTix have been issued refunds on the basis of "strict internal policies", but for many others it's going to be a "difficult and lengthy process". Patrons will now need to lodge a dispute with PayPal or contact their credit card provider in order to chase down a refund.

Promoter Andy Rigby has described the situation as "absolutely devastating".

"…We are still struggling to comprehend [the situation]," he said. "There have been a number of rumours circulating over the last few days and we want to be as up front and honest as possible, whilst at the same time exploring all avenues to give you the most accurate information and best possible outcome. Unfortunately this has taken a little while and I’m not sure there is a positive end in sight."

WORDS: Jack Pilven