Byron Shire has problems with its roads and public toilets because of the huge tourist numbers.
The council can’t levy a bed tax but it can effectively do the same thing – it can increase and extend parking fees. If necessary, it can also lift water, sewer and waste disposal charges for businesses in the shire.
It is unreasonable to expect residents to bear the extra costs on roads and services that tourists and the businesses that benefit from tourists generate.
Over the last decade my rates have increased on average by 5.4 per cent a year, much greater than inflation or the growth of wages.
Garth Luke, Mullumbimby
Great alternatives outlined above.
No more rate hikes