North Byron Parklands - Cultural Events Site

The music & arts festivals that are held on the North Byron Parklands
have been recognised Nationally & International as one of the great
music & arts events, not only do they put the local region on the
international travellers map, they generate a more cultured tourism
that supports musicians, artists, and the wider economy in general. It
is essential that the festival remains in the Byron Shire and allowing
further arts & music festivals to be staged will further enhance the
regions reputation as an artistic centre for Australia and provide
opportunities for locals to further their careers through being able
to perform or demonstrate their art to larger audiences which will not
be possible without having the focus of the national and international
community here in the region.

I support the use of North Byron Parklands as a permanent event site for
up to 50,000 patrons. These major festivals provide direct employment
opportunities as well as increased trade to other businesses in the
Byron Shire, while promoting the talent and rich culture of the area

I completely support the push for parklands to become a permanent music,
arts event site. Having attended the last 5 Splendour in the grass
events and seeing the great work the Event organisers do with regard
to sustainability, their passion, dedication for events and the
benefit it makes to the local community, i would have no hesitation
pledging my total support.

In support of the ongoing environmental sustainable management of
splendour site. Practical use of water and waste through
infrastructure and disposal. Traffic mininmalisation strategies and
movement in and around the site utilizing buses and flow control.
Pedestrian safety and weather contingency. Waste recycling and water
stations. The team deserve continued use of this site and we deserve
to keep the festval within reach of brisnane.

I fully support the application.

I wish to strongly abject to the planned expansion to the North Byron
Parklands site due to the following reasons: - Excessive, unmanageable
traffic flow which is adversely affecting surrounding residents -
Danger to life in the event of an emergency and management is not
sufficiently able to cope - Excessive noise which causes considerable
problems for surrounding resident - Disturbances to native fauna -
Negative social effect on surrounding areas due to excessive drinking
and possible drug taking of patrons There should be no expansion of
number of patrons or number of days for events over the original
consent for the above reasons.

I object to both proposals, two current applications of North Byron
Parklands. I object to allowing any further development on this site.
I object to allowing any more patrons to be allowed onto the festival
site eg. NO increase in numbers, I object to 50,000 patrons.. I object
to any more festivals being allowed per year. I object to further
development in this wildlife area. I object to increasing the size of
North Byron Parklands due to the impact on the natural environment,
the birds and wildlife. I also object to the impact of massive
festival crowds onto the community of the Shire. I object to the
increased impact on the Byron Shire infrastructure, the roads, the
traffic generated, the impact on the Shire's towns and villages by a
huge influx of festival goers. I object to the noise impact on
neighbours and close residents. I object on safety grounds, that
ambulance and fire services cannot easily access the site with many
thousands of cars and paedestrians blocking access...in an emergency
situation. I strongly believe the 'income' the Shire receives from
having these festivals (accommodation & food etc) does not compensate
for the negative impact on residents and ratepayers. We increasingly
have a massive flood of festival goers into the Shire. I believe any
attempt to create a "festival village on North Parklands" will only
impact negatively on the scant economic benefits currently received
from the festival goers...Byron Shire does not have the infrastructure
to cope with these huge events. We have music festivals that respect
and support out Shire and our local lifestyle. We support music and
the arts but this proposal will impact negatively on our
infrastructure and lifestyle and it is not fair to ratepayers and
residents. I object strongly to both of the North Byron Parklands
proposals currently before the NSW Dept of Planning & Environment.
...Thank you. [REDACTED]

My name is Beci Orpin and I am a creative practicioner and author based
in Melbourne. I have been lucky enough to run workshops as part of
Splendour in the Grass for the past 5 years, and my partner Raph
Rashid (of Beatbox Kitchen) also runs part of the catering sections.
As staff, we have both witnessed the-behind -the-scenes running of
many festivals, and the effort and attention to detail which goes into
preserving the surrounding environment of the North Byron Parklands
and providing minimal impact for the towns in within close proximity,
is second to none. We also have many friends in the area, and the
events which occur at the North Byron Parklands provide both
employment and cultural enjoyment which they would not otherwise be
able to reach. The trade in the surrounding towns also benefit from
the events, with flow-on spending from festival go-ers. We both fully
support the North Byron Parklands becoming the permanent home of
Splendour and Falls. Many thanks, Beci Orpin

I support the SSD application. The festivals result in a large increase
in visitors to the north of Byron Shire which is great for business
but it does put a strain on the already limited and aging
infrastructure in the area. The enumerated population (i.e. including
visitors on census night) of South Golden Beach, Ocean Shores and New
Brighton is greater than that of Byron Bay but in comparison, the
north of the shire has substantially limited infrastructure and a lack
of connectivity of walking/ cycling trails. I appreciate that
Parklands does contribute to community development and infrastructure
through paying rates, through the need to pay a s94 contribution, and
in the provision of community grants raised through a $1 levy on each
ticket sale. However, in view of the additional pressure the visitors
put on the infrastructure, waste collection and open spaces in the
north of the shire, I suggest that greater effort and contributions be
made by Parklands specifically to: - Increase connectivity of shared
pathways in the north: o Provide a shared pathway from Parklands,
along Tweed Valley Way, to connect to the existing pathways at Shara
Boulevarde. o Re-seal and extend the South Golden Beach - New Brighton
shared pathway to Ocean Shore shopping village and all the way to the
Brunswick River Bridge. A non-road route that runs adjacent to the
Marshalls Creek nature reserve (and therefore avoids the steep hills
of Orana Rd and Rajah Rd) would be best for all users. o Plan to
connect up to the proposed Rail Trail planned by Tweed Shire Council
which will terminate at Crabbes Creek. - Work with Council and Surf
Life Saving NSW to provide additional educational signage (about who
to call when someone needs rescuing and about the possibility of
placing emergency rescue equipment at beach access tracks at South
Golden Beach and New Brighton Beach. - Deliver additional showers at
beach access tracks at South Golden Beach (Gloria Street) and at New
Brighton (The Esplanade) - Develop the South Golden Beach Community
Hall into a Surf Life Saving Club to permanently store training and
rescue equipment, and to provide kiosk facilities during peak periods.
- Work with Ocean Village Shopping Centre to improve the carpark
layout and traffic flow.

I am against permanent approval of North Byron Shire parklands
development and would like after the trial the approval to revert back
to Byron Shire Council . The small rate paying population of Byron
Shire just can't afford to keep paying for the up keep of the roads,
garbage, water, sewers, parking with so many more people coming here.
The on-site sewerage system for as many people Parklands has in mind
is in an area that floods. They often breech their consent conditions
but nothing is done about it. Please let this community have a say in
the decision of the expansion of this development. Yours sincerely
Margaret Cox. Sent from my iPad

I support the permanent approval of this development for the following
reasons: 1. The site has proven over the last 5 years its high
standard as a world class event site that is of great service to the
community and the entertainment industry at large. 2. I see huge
benefit of this site for local employment. 3. Permanent approval will
allow the owners / management to develop more sustainable
infrastructure which will have great impact of the potential
environmental effects of festivals. This could then have a flow on
effect for the community at large as an educational tool. 4. I have
witnessed the vast improvements that have been made to the property
since its purchase by the current owners and feel that they have
proven their commitment to delivering best practice on all levels. 5.
I work in the events industry locally and see great benefit for
various business organisations if the site were to become permanent.
6. I see the impact for local community groups who are the recipients
of much needed funding support as a result of these festivals. 7. I
feel that Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival have become
intrinsic aspects of our local creative industries and that if they
were to leave the area due to rejection of this proposal, the negative
impact would be widely felt.

I believe it's a fantastic event and venue that brings work , culture and
people to our area. I support this festival and would like to see more
festivals on this site.

These events provide fantastic opportunities for our community Providing
jobs for our youth,opportunities to perform They are done with minimal
impact on the actual site and also minimal impact on my village I have
lived in the Bangalow area for 20 years and have never been adversely
affected by the events I overwhelmingly support it

Do not want to see this area becoming a second Byron bay with the delays
in traffic ..overcrowded .. people walking streets late at night
causing problems.. and noise.. increased partying in residential areas
...not being able to park in the area..noise increased... and much
more

Having this location become a permanent place for festivals like
Splendour as well as being open to smaller artistic and cultural
events would be beneficial in supporting the arts, as well as building
community connections and cultural awareness. Having attended the
event for the first time last year, I was extremely impressed with the
organisation, entertainment quality and range of events (including the
Scienxe tent, which I loved)! I'm a teacher and feel this venue has
the potential to be of benefit to the education sector as well.

I support North Byron Parklands' continued use as a festival venue. It is
the best-managed, festival-friendly venue in Australia.

I've been living in the Byron Bay Shire for over 4 years and love the
festivals held on the North Byron Parklands. Being a father and older
than the average person who may visit this site I'm always amazed how
professional the festivals are organised and run. I would never
hesitate in letting my own kids attend as I truly believe they offer a
safe environment. Working in the shire the economic benefits the
festivals bring into our local economy really is immeasurable and put
Byron Bay on the world map. The grounds always look perfectly kept and
I feel it's a shame they don't get used more often. So I write this
submission to show support for the Parklands site and wish them good
luck with their application.

Byron Parklands provides a unique creative melting pot for this region
and is directly influential in representing my business and the type
of people we attract. I attend Splendour and falls every year and
quite often take staff and clients to these events to show off what
this region is all about. We have recently discussed the topic with
the 15 employees we have and all agree that a permanent venue would be
a positive outcome for the region

I support this application

It is such an amazing area and space for festivals.