As a local business owner and employer, I understand better than most that every dollar matters. That’s why a proposed 35 per cent increase in residential rates is so difficult to accept without first seeing clear evidence that our existing rates and Council services are being managed as efficiently as possible.
I appreciate Byron Shire Council (BSC) is in a precarious financial position. But asking already-stretched residents to simply find another 35 per cent laying around feels like an overreach.
There is a perception that everyone who lives in Byron is wealthy, when the reality is that many local families are simply fortunate to have bought property at the right time. Should people in our community really have to sell their homes to ‘have the cash’ to pay a rate increase? Our community matters, and most people here work regular jobs, have mortgages, and families, or are retired or on a pension.
Against this backdrop, I received a DA modification notice regarding the Cheeky Monkeys site (DA 10.2025.32.2), proposing to consolidate three commercial lots into one.
This raises a very simple question: would consolidating these titles reduce the rates payable by one of the largest commercial developments in the area, at precisely the time Council is asking residential ratepayers for substantially more?
If so, how is that fair?
The approved development will bring significantly increased patronage, while providing no customer parking and placing additional pressure on local roads, infrastructure, and surrounding neighbourhoods. It seems difficult to justify asking struggling residential ratepayers to shoulder more of the financial burden while major commercial developments potentially contribute proportionally less.
I have paid a ‘bed tax’ many times while travelling and never begrudged it. It was a small amount added to my accommodation bill. If Byron is struggling to fund the infrastructure that supports the enormous number of visitors who come here then surely asking visitors to contribute directly is worth considering?
Our community is being asked to pay more. Before asking residents for another 35 per cent, I believe Council should demonstrate that everyone benefiting from Byron – including large commercial operators and visitors – are paying their fair share.
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. 
