I was both dismayed and angered to see the recent pronouncement by the so-called Minister for the Night Time Economy (que?) regarding the state government’s edict to make Byron Bay a ‘trial’ for further extending the late-night opening of venues and legalising the continuation of amplified noise well into the early hours.
As if it weren’t bad enough already. And the enthusiastic spruiking of it all by the current mayor further grated.
All this guff about the area’s brilliant artists needing an outlet and the need for the town to be seen as some sort of ‘vibrant’ centre to gratify the desires of international and local visitors, is so much obfuscation and dissembling of the real matter. It is money. It is a stated admission by the Council’s leader that they are going to look after the commercial interests and, tacitly, to appease the liquor lobby.
The noise factor at night has been growing steadily worse; and venues have been granted later licensing hours. The current situation is quite bad enough without making it worse; and when these developments are concluded, doubtless they will contribute their additions.
The recent article in the SMH (April 19) about this prospective change in Byron Bay, which seemed to me to be suspiciously like a promotion rather than a news item, spoke of the ‘whingers and whiners’. That is, those who have the temerity to object to this assault of amplified noise. I can guarantee that most who talk (insultingly) of those who complain are unaffected by such noise. Most who make these decisions don’t live here.
The state government seem to have cash to splash out to help commercial interests that don’t need it. But they are oddly missing in action when it comes to helping the homeless and the local flood victims.
I first heard the expression, ‘The dollar talks and the bullshit walks’ in America years ago from a disgruntled resident who was looking to leave. He asked me about Australia. I assured him that we had the virus here also.
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. 
