126 Tweed Valley Way,, Yelgun, NSW

NORTH BYRON PARKLANDS - Two concurrent applications are proposed. Firstly, a Modification to Concept Approval MP 09_0028 is proposed to allow for changes to patron size and to harmonise the conditions to reflect a permanent cultural events site. Further, development consent is sought under Part 4 of the Act for the permanent use of the North Byron Parklands as a cultural events site for up to 50,000 patrons.

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2 Comments

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  1. Irene Feuz commented

    No

  2. Irene Feuz commented

    1. Modification to Concept Approval MP 09_0028 is proposed to allow for changes to patron size ..

    I offer some stats ... for consideration ...

    POPULATION -
    Currently approx 30,000 people live in the Byron Shire
    Festival nos are approximately 32.500 ..per day = 90.000 people in four days.
    Splendour was NOT allowed 35,000 per day last year, because the NSW Police said having 32,500 on site already affected the safety and security of the attendees.
    The impact would be the equivilant of Sydney with 5.3 mill people - having an extra 21 million people moving in - and taking over your lives and resources for four days ...!

    RATEPAYERS
    There are just under 14,500 ratepaying households in the shire, and at least 1.5 million tourists come to the shire each year. So one way of looking at this is that there are about 100 tourists a year for every rate-paying household. When Parklands has 32,000 people on site, per day - that's just over 2 extra people in the shire for every rate-paying household -- using our infrastructure without being charged for it.

    DEMOGRAPHICS
    Median age of people in the Byron Shire = 42
    The festival acts are aimed at youth .. is not there to appeal to a large no of locals

    CONTROL AND PROFITS
    Estimated revenues .. about $30 million per festival (four days) ticket entry - and camping / car parking fees ..
    Alcohol must be purchased at the Festival owned bars
    @ $10 av. per drink x 90.000 patrons (4 days) = $9 mill - for just 10 drinks ..

    WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY GET -
    Our Council is paid rates only - classified under "rural land" - which is not high.
    We - the rate payers of the Shire have had our rates re-assessed and put up ..

    Council is having trouble fixing roads and providing adequate infrastructure for the influx of tourists to the area (approx 1.5 mill) - extra 90.000 from the festival adds to negative environmental impact and affects our infrastructure ..

    Community groups - if recognised - can apply for a "community grant"
    Those grants amount to a few thousand dollars each.
    The festivals decide where to direct the community grants;
    Council has no say in the matter.

    Jessica Ducrou is on record as saying that she aspires to turn Splendour into the Glastonbury of Australia. (Glastonbury festival, in England, draws 175,000 attendees.)

    Have we felt the impact on our "quiet enjoyment" - as a local community .. YES

    NEGATIVE IMPACTS
    Brunswick Heads (1,300 people) as a small town is overrun at Festival time .. when 32.500 people are around ... and are being bussed in and out of our town hourly ...

    Brunswick Heads looses its normal way of life ... as festival goers : -
    take over coffee shops -
    use our street parking -
    buy out our supermarket products -
    congest our streets as they waiting for shuttle busses.

    FIRE risks at the Festival site are high - this is common knowledge.
    FLOODING risks are also high - as per the 2017 floods in the area
    SEWERAGE treatment plant is already being over taxed - with local developments

    NOISE levels are aggravating to many - still ... (in spite of some changes)
    With Av. age @ 42, noise affects the comfort of older people / families with children
    Some families evacuate their homes to get a good nights sleep .
    Continual thumping affects domestic pets .. particularly dogs... and wildlife.
    REAL ESTATE - prices are dropping in the immediate area to the Festival.

    EXITING THE SHIRE - can be difficult : -
    With large numbers - LIMITED flights, and busses are fully booked early .

    As a volunteer at the Visitors Centre - we witnessed many young people who were stranded and needed help to get away.
    Many were unprepared for the extra costs incurred.
    Those who had not slept for days and could not leave - were very stressed

    COMMUNITY RIGHTS
    Residents of the Shire do have the right to quiet enjoyment of our homes and our lives
    This is not happening while the Festival is on ...

    Local Community should not have to provide and pay for resources and infrastructure for visitors in these large numbers ... our rates have already been increased.

    Our Local Council should be involved and have rights to oversee planning and control - when it directly impacts and affects their constituents. e.g. - There may be a better site - much further away from the 'built up' areas in the Shire - that would suit better.

    As a International promoter - LIVE NATION already has the financial muscle and ability to set demands on venues and management, and has control of all aspects of the touring process - meaning few can compete with them.

    When they say they are aiming to beat Glastonbury .. 175.000 attendees -
    they are not thinking of our local community - or the suitability of this site.
    _____________________________

    No I have not made a gift or donation to the Councillor - or a Council employee.

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