For years, Byron residents have been told the Shire is carrying the financial burden of being one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations.

Byron Shire Council (BSC) has officially revived its long-running push for a bed tax, unanimously backing a plan to build the economic case for making visitors pay their way.

The ghost of Byron’s long-debated ‘bed tax’ is stirring again, with Council to consider a new plan to finally pin down what tourism really costs and who should be paying for it.

Highlighting the need for action on the increasing tourist pressure on Byron Bay, Councillor Paul Spooner was featured the ABC as part of a program looking at the increased pressure that short term rentals are putting on the housing market and infrastructure.

Australia’s powerful tourism-accommodation lobby has come out strongly against a push for a bed tax in Byron Bay.