There’s nothing democratic about councillors ignoring 90 per cent of submissions opposing the so-called ‘Special Entertainment Precinct’ (SEP) in Byron and voting against the wishes of the community.
On New Year’s Eve in 1993, the mess hit the fan in Byron when large numbers of drunken youth rioted in the streets.
It was the community that stood up and volunteered their time and energy for many years to organise events so that everyone could celebrate New Year’s Eve safely in the town, while others were enjoying the holidays with family and friends.
When Council voted in favour of the festival site at Yelgun, again the community, who knew the site was a disaster waiting to happen, was forced to take the issue to the Land & Environment Court, and won.
Despite the court ruling that the development was not suitable for that site, the state government ignored the court’s ruling and the community’s concerns, and changed the law to allow the Planning and Assessment Commission to approve the development.
The developers then sold 51 percent of the business to Live Nation, who are being investigated in the US for their monopolistic practices.
If businesses are struggling despite two million visitors, they’re not providing what people want. No SEP will change that. Or perhaps people who have money to spend don’t want to spend time in a crowded, expensive, over-promoted tourist area.
Locals in tourist hotspots around the world are protesting about the destruction of their community and valuable culture and heritage.
The community has not been calling for a SEP.
They have been saying loudly and clearly for decades that they want to enjoy and protect the beautiful place we all live in. They’re happy to share with respectful visitors, but want to feel safe in their towns again.
Do councillors think it’s their job to make/change rules to favour big business?
After decades of inappropriate development, mass tourism and mass festivals, it’s very obvious they’ve added very little in the way of benefits to the community.
Despite the billions that go into the state government’s coffers every year from land tax and stamp duty from expensive local real estate, plus GST, we’re told by the minister that unless Byron ratepayers agree to the SEP, they won’t provide funding for the infrastructure and services needed for two million tourists! Sounds like blackmail.
If politicians and councillors continue to ignore the concerns and needs of the community, and force unwanted developments on them, with disastrous consequences, ratepayers may have to ignore rate notices.
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. 
