Liz Levy, Suffolk Park
Why has Byron Shire Council decided to impose a layer of digital tyranny for residents wishing to renew their locals parking permit?
Attempting to renew online I found that I now have first to register for a ‘PayStay’ account. What if I don’t want to have such an account because I don’t want: to read through several pages of small type terms and conditions; to have my personal details stored on yet another web-based database; to have my credit card details stored on yet another website for a likely once-a-year transaction; to have yet another password to remember for a site I will likely use only once per year?
The answer it seems is that I must make a special trip to Mullumbimby to pay over the counter.
The previous online system seemed to work perfectly well without forcing residents to go through a third party service provider. Some may want the range of services PayStay offers, but it isn’t necessary to pay a simple once-off renewal. Please, Council, give us back the choice.
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. 
