Rhonda Ansiewicz. Federal.
The recent community consultations with regard to proposed LEP amendments to legalise weddings and other commercial events in the Byron hinterland were a farce.
There are nine zones in Byron shire where commercial events are permissible. There are three zones including RU1 and RU2 where such events are illegal. Mayor Richardson states that precluding events in rural zones does not work.
It doesn’t work because Council does not have the resources to comply with its legal obligation to enforce compliance. Amending the LEP will not solve the problem. It will exacerbate it.
We have endured outrageous events next door. Events have kept us awake until 4.30am. Police could not attend due to overwhelming needs in Byron Bay. When you ring Council no one is there. After the event, if Council deems the matter of sufficiently high priority, the perpetrators, who are often absentee owners, get a slap on the wrist and off they go to do it again.
Our property rights are being abused and Council seems hell bent on adding to our woes.
Property owners may feel that this issue does not affect them. According to the draft LEP amendment this matter will affect everyone.
You may find your neighbour deciding when you need to vacate your property as it will be intolerable to stay there during an event. Your neighbours may decide for you when your property will be peaceful enough for you to invite your own guests to share in the quiet enjoyment.
It is time for residents of the hinterland to speak out before they are rendered powerless to take control.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
