Ticketholders still wait for refunds to The Drop

TICKETHOLDERS to Torquay’s The Drop Festival cancelled nearly two years ago are still waiting for refunds, with organisers saying this will not happen until they can generate the funds to do so by running other events.

Originally set for April 11, 2020, the festival was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

At the time of the cancellation, The Drop Team explained they had already covered pre-event costs for all the festival’s events across Australia, and they were thus unable to refund tickets until an insurance claim was resolved.

In late June 2021, organisers revealed they had won a tribunal case over their cancellation insurance claim and expected to settle “in coming weeks”, and the tribunal decision would allow The Drop events – which usually run in proximity to the World Surf League tour across Australia – to go ahead again in 2022.

New events are yet to be confirmed, and in The Drop Team’s latest update emailed out late last month, organisers thanked ticketholders for their patience.

“In the past we have written to you promising dates and pathways to refunds. Whilst the dates and promises were real, regrettably things just haven’t worked out the way we had hoped,” they wrote.

“Since the middle of 2021, our small team have been developing plans to return in March/April 2022, alongside major Australian surfing competitions.

“Prior to Christmas, things were looking very positive and we were hopeful that this activity would allow us to both fulfil our obligations to existing ticket holders and to reemerge with an exciting lineup of entertainment for all to enjoy.

“Unfortunately though, the spike in COVID-19 throughout Australia over the summer, has impacted many people, businesses and industries.

“The restrictions on mass gatherings and interstate travel, combined with general business uncertainty and low consumer confidence have made it extremely difficult to safely promote anything which resembles a touring festival.

“As we’ve attempted to explain in the past, in order for us to refund ticket holders we need the ability to confidently deliver events.

“Despite the ongoing setbacks, other opportunities are on the horizon and our team will continue to pursue those as best as we possibly can.

“We are still committed to repaying each and every one of you the minute we are recapitalised with the ability to do so.”

The Drop Team also noted they wanted, “in the interest of transparency”, to use the update to “address recent news items relating to insurance claim outcomes and external investment”.

“These wins are important, but only form part of broader attempts to raise money and make good on our promises of refunds.”

The next update is scheduled for the end of March.