North Byron Parklands - Cultural Events Site

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the North Byron Parklands
Cultural Events Site- State Significant Application. Established in
1977, Tweed-Byron Trail Horse Riders (TBTHR) have members in both the
Tweed and Byron Shires. Most members are also members of other
sporting horse groups such as Pony Club, Endurance and Camp Drafting.
Our aims include advocacy for safe and environmentally responsible
horse riding, and protection and preservation of historic nature
trails for the benefit of future generations. The Club actively
encourage the Tweed and Byron Shire Councils to do more in servicing
the needs of local residents and visiting tourists. Specifically, we
refer to access and information about horse trails and areas where
horses can be ridden throughout the two Shires, priority road
maintenance and the promotion and ongoing commitment to low impact
nature based eco- tourism in the region. TBTHR support this
application for State significant status. We feel privileged to have
the Parklands in our area, and recognise the positive contribution
that management and festival organisers have made to the surrounding
community over the past several years. The site -formerly degraded
farm land- has been impressively transformed into a nature parkland
through habitat regeneration and the implementation of eco friendly
and sustainable resource recovery and waste management. We
congratulate these efforts. We would like to see the site more open to
use by the community outside of festival weeks. This may take the
shape of organised sporting events such as multi-day horse riding,
cycling or running marathon events where competitors and spectators
could have the option to camp over night at Parklands or opt to be
accommodated in nearby villages and towns- supporting local business.
These events would attract competitors in the hundreds with perhaps no
more than 500 attendees- including competitors and spectators/support
crews. For this reason these events would be low impact on both the
grounds and residents in the nearby area. The Parklands site would be
ideal for these type of low impact events as they could be conducted
solely within the grounds and not require local road closures or
special event traffic management plans. A venue of this size that has
multi-functional use for both large scale music festivals and smaller
community events is serving a dual purpose - attracting visitors to
the region, while servicing a need in the community. The Parklands
management and the big festivals organisers have shown their worth in
supporting local community projects to date. We look forward to seeing
more of how Parklands can support local sporting events. Yours
sincerley Debra Minto Tweed-Byron Trail Horse Riders Club

No comment

Keep splendour in the grass and falls festival at the Byron bay parklands
as they are world class festivals (the best in Aus) and need to be
fostered and supported in order to benefit the cultural and musical
adversity we as a nation already lack in.

I am putting forward my strong support to the North Byron Parklands
project. Entertainment and social gatherings play an integral part in
the Australian cultural landscape. The events held at North Byron
Parklands allow people to experience and enjoy some of Australia's and
the world's best entertainment and arts in a safe and fun environment.
To have a venue of this calibre in our own backyard puts the Byron
shire, Northern Rivers, NSW and Australia on the world stage. I grew
up in the 80s and 90s seeing live music at every opportunity. However
in recent years, the ability to be able to experience this has
diminished. The events at North Byron Parklands gives people something
to look forward to. It's more than just the music - it's an overall
experience, it's a rite of passage, it's a sense of community, it's
the essence of who we are - fun, vibrant, spirited, diverse. In
ensuring North Byron Parklands as a permanent cultural events site, we
can ensure that generations to come can experience these world class
facilities and world class events.

I have lived in Ocean Shores for every festival at north byron parklands
and see no negative side to the site being used on a ongoing basis.

I am living close to North Byron Parklands. We have to put up with
ongoing noise, traffic issues, safety issues, we are overwhelmed with
people on weekends three times the amount of byron area. I have
decided to leave the City because I love the peace and quiet. And I
have deliberately move away from byron bay to get away from so many
tourists. Now we have to put up with more people, and the organization
wants it continually bigger, more people and more events. As locals,
we have no benefits. Why isn't our council dealing with this issue?
Most locals and the council would object to North Byron Parklands

It is great for surrounding area and has put Ocean Shores on the map for
people to visit.

North Byron Parklands Cultural Events Site - Tweed Valley Way and Jones
Road, Yelgun Cultural Events Site - State Significant Development
Application (SSD 8169) and MP 09_0028 MOD 3 ( Concept Plan) A
SUBMISSION ON THE D.A. SSD 8169. I have been a resident in Brunswick
Heads for 12 years and a shop owner in Brunswick Heads for 6 years
now. My partner also works as a chef in Brunswick Heads and has been
doing so for the last 8 years. I am writing for both of us who
strongly appose this and to outline our grave concerns for this
development application for the North Byron Parklands site in Yelgun
and the impact it will have on our little town, the nearby residents,
to our jobs, livelihoods and the future negative impacts of the place
we love to live in and call our home. Brunswick Heads is a very small
town, less than 1800 residents and whilst it certainly receives alot
of visitors each year, the type of visitors that are attracted to the
area are coming for its family friendly, laid back fishing village
ambience. Not only will it affect the town of Brunswick Heads but all
the other smaller towns surrounding the festival site. Unfortunately
these large festival venues and events are a complete contradiction in
terms of what Brunswick Heads and what this area represents to its
locals and visitors. Unfortunately this site was approved and we are
enduring the negative impacts it has already but to approve this
proposed plan and to increase the amount of people and events would be
a very irresponsible and negligent decision by the NSW State planning
dept. As it stands with the existing conditions, splendour in the
grass and falls festival tip the capacity of what this town can manage
already, I am very concerned and stressed to think what these extra
number of patrons will do to our area and our lives. Because they are
busy periods already, the extra amount of people causes alot of strain
and stress to the area, the relaxed holiday feel goes out the window
and it is actually turning locals off visiting their normal shops, due
to the congestion on roads and chaos with cues and long waiting
periods in cafes and local shopping centres. Long standing holiday
makers are also saying they will be reconsidering re-visting the area
if this congestion and party town atmosphere continues. My shop is
located right near the bus stop where the patrons get on and off for
the venue and there is a constant flow of fumes and pollution from the
engines waiting long periods between each bus. There is only a very
small footpath where the existing bus stop is and the venue organizers
have had to push the line up of patrons onto the road, potentionally
causing a hazard to occur. They had to do this as the patrons could
not gather on the walkway as it was too narrow and was also blocking
the entrance of my shop. There is no visability to my shop either
because of the regular fesitival buses stationed outside blocking the
view of my signage and people generally avoid this area because of the
amount of people around. Imagine if these numbers increase? I would
have to close my shop due to safety issues and the loss of business
during this time. These festivals do not generate an income for all of
our local town, the majority is generated for themselves and the rich
business people that own them. They promise with false advertising
that they support and help our economy, this is not true and their
motivation is only to make money for themselves. They do not care
about the long term impacts it has and how damaging this can be on our
local community. Now that the fesitval is owned by Live Nation, a
multi billion dollar organisation is very alarming and speaks volumes
of the intention they really have. If they spend 42 million on the
existing site creating more buildings and a huge bar/ drinking area it
is just going to dramatically increase the rapidly growing drug and
alcohol problem in the area. Byron Bay is already getting national and
international coverage for the violence and drug and alcohol related
crimes, if this permit goes ahead it will just increase and spread the
problem further into our area. Our Byron/Tweed Police are understaffed
already and the demands will only increase trying to negate these
issues. My partner who is a Chef, was under a huge amount of stress
and strain trying to keep up with the amount of people in town.
Hospitality is a hard sweaty job at the best of times so it is very
difficult to find, let alone employ staff that are trained and can
cope in these peak times. The town is heaving at these events and we
just dont have the infrastructure to cope with anymore patrons.These
events are getting far too big in comparison to the town and this is a
deadly mix. We need to preserve what is left of our beautiful and
family focussed Brunswick Heads, as it really is just dangling by a
thread. We are not a party town, we are not Byron Bay, this is the
whole reason people visit our town is to getaway from the stress of
overpopulated towns and cities, to enjoy a stroll down the beach, and
not to fight to get around people in carparks, or have to wait an hour
for food because staff in cafes have had enough and walked out! The
congestion of traffic also expands beyond the central part, it becomes
a nightmare for Ocean Shores and other areas North of Ocean Shores
also. Most important of all the issues are the environmental impacts
on the wildlife corridor which will eventually die if subjected to
these extra large fesitivals. What about fire hazards, flood issues,
sewerage constraints, public safety, noise pollution and rubbish that
is left behind, the list just goes on. Our local council has failed us
to keep these things in check, please do not do the same and allow
this application to be approved. Please look at the individuals here,
how we work hard to try and maintain the simple pleasures ethos in
this town and tirelessly work to preserve a wildlife coridoor that has
been here for hundreds of years and is under great threat if this goes
ahead. Approving this application would have a devastating affect on
this town, its local community and beyond, business owners, workers
and the people that visit who want to have a relaxing and peaceful
holiday. Fesitval goers come and go, have a great time and go back
home oblivious to what they leave behind. The owners grab all the
money and retire back to their mansions, while we pick up the rubbish
that is left outside our shops and homes and struggle to make a
moderate income. We have to deal with the drunken behaviour and
vandalism, people parking in our driveway, camping illegally and drink
driving. Please also consider the immediate neighbours on the boundary
of this site that have spent countless hours trying to protect this
nature reserve and professional and educated research of the negative
impacts these events have on the environment. This community has had
to make do with the site as it stands as they had no choice! Please do
not make it worse for them and ignore all their genuine research that
clearly shows real and substantiated evidence that this site should
never had gone there in the first place. Please stand up to what is
truely right and listen to all our genuine and adequate. concerns

I believe the growth and development of the Parklands as a Festival site
is an integral part of the wider community in Northern Rivers. I say
Yes to Splendour in the Grass, The Falls and any other events that
continue to nurture musical talents and the arts, creating an amazing
environment for people to enjoy.

We area a registered not-for-profit organisation staffed entirely by
volunteers, our mission is to rescue abandoned, abused and surrendered
domestic animals and find them responsible, caring homes. All of our
rescued animals are de-sexed, micro-chipped, vaccinated, flea treated
and wormed prior to adoption by suitable families. Completely
self-funded with operating costs of approx $30,000 per year we are
very appreciative of any bequests, personal or business donations
which add to our own fundraising efforts and enable us to continue our
work of removing abandoned domestic animals from their fate, freeing
natural wildlife and habitat from the threat of domestic predators
whilst enriching the lives of families and parents who want their
children to grow up with caring natures via responsible pet ownership.
Splendour's 2015 grant of $2500 benefited us by enabling us to
professionally build an internal ceiling with ventilation and heat
control in our dated, old fashioned industrial unit shelter. This
provided us with a much cleaner, hygienic and healthier environment to
work within. As many of our volunteers are elderly (in their 60's and
70's) this has achieved improved working conditions for them and much
less stressful and hygienic accommodation for the animals in our care.
Pets for Life Animal Shelter applauds the efforts of all sections of
the community and business who recognise that only by understanding
each other's objectives without prejudging can we work together to
affect a better future for all who are part of Life's Rich Tapestry in
Byron Shire.

I Strongly Support this application for the use of The North Byron
Parklands. I Live and work in the area and see the amount of life it
brings to the community and the business it brings to the whole of the
Northern Rivers. Using the M1 daily with my commute to work I never
have any problems with traffic. I Think the Slender and Falls
festival's are such a great use of Parklands great location adding to
the areas great reputation as a world travel destination. Falls
supports local music.

I am against this form of festival where the environment is totally
affected through the enormous amount of rubbish that is generated and
by the disturbance to wildlife habitat. There is no need for other
festivals on this site which has been a wetlands area and all that
entails. All of Australia is affected by destruction of wetlands in
coastal areas.

To whom it may concern, I support the State Significant Development (SSD)
application of North Byron Parklands for the following reasons:
Transparency, Consultation, Commitment to Sustainability: My
professional dealings with NBP have been as head of Northern Rivers
Tourism 2008-2012 and as a tourism and events consultant. From the
outset of their trial approval application in 2009 North Byron
Parklands (NBP) have consistently demonstrated a transparent,
consultative approach to their application to become a permanent arts
and cultural venue for NSW. They have responded directly to all
questions from planning authorities, engaged and consulted the
Northern Rivers business and residential community at critical stages,
addressed concerns, demonstrated compliance with approval conditions,
incorporated learnings into operational and policy improvements and
provided verifiable data to support claims made in their applications
and/or modifications. Concerns from community and environmental groups
have been addressed directly without hyperbole or obfuscation. The
events Splendour in the Grass (SITG) and Falls Music and Arts Festival
(FMAF) have emphasised the importance of conserving, respecting and
protecting the environments and surrounding communities of North Byron
Parklands through event marketing, onsite facilities such as recycling
stations, carpooling incentives and waste management initiatives.
North Byron Parklands have undertaken significant conservation and
remediation activities at the site including monitoring noise
pollution, creation of wildlife corridors, traffic calming measures,
prohibiting patron access to sensitive ecological areas and removal of
noxious weeds. A permanent cultural event site will be an economic
driver for the Northern Rivers: Economic impacts assessments from 2009
to 2016 using industry standard methodology demonstrate that the
events held at NBP have generated significant and sustained increases
in economic benefits for the Northern Rivers region and NSW as a
whole. In 2016, festivals held at the North Byron Parklands generated:
* Total direct expenditure of $55.1m, a 17.5% increase from 2015 and
599% from the 2009 event. Festival organisers spent $17.5m on staff,
goods and services while attendees spent $39.1m primarily on
food/beverage and accommodation. * Gross Value Added (GVA) of $60.7m,
$17.1m of which is attributed to Byron Shire. This represents an
increase of 23.9% in the Byron Shire share from 2015 and 284% from
2009. * 788* total FTE jobs (188 of which were in Byron Shire), a 225%
increase from the 58 EFT generated in 2009. (*taking into account
direct employment, supply chain and household consumption). The
projected economic impacts of the NPB Economic Impact Assessment
report (EIR) 2010 have been demonstrably conservative, lending
credence to forecast economic impacts of a permanent approval
described in future use scenarios. Detailed in NBP's 2016 economic
impact report, these future use scenarios project total direct
expenditure of between $62.8 and $80m. Total economic outputs for
Byron Shire are projected to increase at the same magnitude ranging
from $307m to $358m. Similarly, total employment generated from events
at North Byron Parklands are forecast to increase to between 1911 and
2230 jobs. A permanent approval for North Byron Parklands has
demonstrated and realistic potential to make festivals and events at
the site a significant economic driver for regional NSW, in line with
its existing destination brand, consistent with Byron Shire Council's
aspirations and sectoral strengths in arts and creative industries.
Visitor Economy Benefits: Festivals and events are catalysts for
visitation to the Northern Rivers region, with the festivals held at
North Byron Parklands in 2016 generating over 241,000 visitor nights
in Northern Rivers NSW. This is a significant contribution to the
regional economy over just two annual events. Playing regular host to
festivals and events bolsters the Northern Rivers' national and
international reputation through the sustained exposure events create
to attract visitors and by allowing visitors to experience the
region's accommodation, retail, restaurants, nature-based attractions
and other facilities. A permanent event site also contributes to one
of the strategic priority actions of the NSW Visitor Economy Industry
Action Plan, namely to build a strong events calendar for Sydney and
NSW. Investment Confidence: Permanent approval provides investment
confidence, certainty and reduced risk for local businesses to
establish or expand operations to cater to both large and small events
over the proposed scenarios for events held at North Byron Parklands.
Social Capital: Events foster healthier and more connected communities
who take pride in hosting and participating in local events.
Visitation by and interaction with performers and professionals from
around the world facilitates opportunities for local workers,
organisers and volunteers from the community, and generates publicity
to a large, engaged audiences of those performers through endorsement
and testimonial.

North Byron Parklands, Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival (Byron)
have provided me and dozens of members of my local Byron Bay community
including friends, neighbours, colleagues and family with local jobs,
entertainment and arts industry career opportunities, platforms for
cultural engagement and community connection. The festivals are
absolute highlights in the local Byron Bay and wider Northern Rivers
cultural calendar and bring diverse local communities together to
celebrate our cultural capital, explore environmental awareness and
political engagement. Our communities would be enormously poorer -
culturally and economically - should these festivals and the venue be
denied the opportunity to grow and develop.

This site gives jobs to so many people, local businesses and provides
priceless memories for so many people across the nation. It brings a
large booth to the local tourism and is committed to addressing
feedback from the local community.

I have been working at North Byron Parklands since the first ever event
held in 2013. It is a fantastic event site and managed extremely well
by the Venue Management team and the hirers such as Splendour in the
Grass and Falls Festival. Until recently I lived only a few k's up the
road in Mooball and the community impact was nothing but positive -
including the increased traffic as it meant increased business for the
small business in town. I fully support this site becoming a permanent
event site.

I support the applications for North Byron Parklands for a Modification
to Concept Approval MP 09_0028 to allow for changes to patron size and
to harmonise the conditions to reflect a permanent cultural events
site. Further, development consent to sought the permanent use of the
North Byron Parklands as a cultural events site for up to 50,000
patrons.

I support it

This area has a lot of importance to a lot of people. It's culturally
pivotal, there's employment benefits and most of all, with our arts,
music and culture scenes slowly starting to deteriorate in NSW as a
result of venue closures and losses in grants, it's of an upmost
importance to retain North Byron Parklands as a home for this culture.

I object to the proposed development . i believe it will have and has had
a negative impact on the lifestyle of the surrounding community .
Twice a year we have to put up with major increased traffic , Noise
from the events , Noise from increased traffic , litter and vandalism
just to mention a few things . I also believe the site cannot
accomodate any more people as it cannot accomodate its current level .
I have personally been to both festivals and each time i am
dissapointed with the lines for buses , food and drinks , The lines
for Toilets are disgusting with many people jumping fences /roped off
areas to relieve themselves !! The impact this has on the environment
and wildlife must be catastrophic . The rubbish that blows into the
Billinudgel nature reserve is also of great concern .