By Lilia Guan
Earlier this week, the Mayor of Moreton Bay, Regional Council Mayor, Allan Sutherland launched an online petition to have, the music festival, Splendour in the Grass relocated to Woodfordia at Woodford, Queensland permanently.
Traditionally the music festival had been held in Byron Bay, New South Wales.
Mayor Sutherland said in a media statement that Byron Shire Council and the New South Wales Government were dithering to long with planning
approvals for Splendour’s Byron Bay venue.
“Splendour in the Grass now faces the very real prospect of being strangled to death by bureaucratic red tape and punitive restrictions on the number of events and people,” he stated.
“By joining my online petition you can help build a case for Splendour’s organisers to break free of the red tape south of the border and make
Woodfordia the festival’s permanent home.”
Mayor Allen claimed the music festival needed to be saved from “the meddling of New South Wales bureaucrats”.
“I'm ready, willing and able to swap Splendour’s red tape for the red carpet – my council is ready to roll out the welcome mat again to keep the music playing.”
“What Byron Bay doesn’t get is that it’s good for business too, with every Splendour in the Grass sowing an estimated $20 million into the local economy.
“That’s $40 million lost to Byron Bay because of their dithering and red tape."
The Mayor said Splendour looked right at home at Woodford over the last two years.
However Byron Shire Council Mayor Jan Barham told Government News there has been confusion surrounding the Splendour debate on whether the festival will or won't be held, and who gets to decide.
She said Byron Shire Council has never said 'no' to Splendour being held in Byron Shire.
"Back in 2009 Council approved a one year trial event at the proposed new Splendour site in Tyagarah. However, the approval was overturned in the Land and Environment Court following an appeal from residents.
"Splendour then chose to lodge a development application to the NSW Department of Planning under the old part 3A planning assessment process."
Mayor Barham said she understood the application to the NSW Department of Planning was asking for multiple events at the Tyagarah site and was yet to be determined.
Prior to Splendour being held a Woodford for the last two years, the music festival was held at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay.
"The Byron Shire communities are extremely generous in sharing our Shire with the many visitors that enjoy the destination each year.
"The area is a significant draw card for millions of visitors each year but, finding the balance between protecting the Shire's amenity and supporting economic prosperity presents a significant challenge."
As one resident recently explained to Mayor Barham, he would happily cope with living next to two major festivals per year, but more than that is asking a bit much.
“Many members of the community are concerned about the impacts on their amenity and impacts on natural environment,” she said.
“Managing tourism and events so that they do not adversely impact on the existing on character and culture is about finding the right balance.”
The policy also limits the Shire to two major music events per year, the Mayor said.
A major event is defined as any outdoor music event of two days duration that exceeds 6000 patrons, participants and staff per day.
Mayor Barham said the Events Policy and planning processes had always allowed for Splendour to hold its annual music festival within the Shire and the policy accepts the status quo of the existing two major events, Bluesfest and Splendour.
"Whether Splendour returns to Byron Shire, was currently out of Council's hands as they have chosen to go to NSW Department of Planning to seek approval,” she said.
“The decision will be determined by the state."
In response to media enquiry on the Splendour issue, the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure said it was still finalising assessments of a concept plan and project application for stages 1 and 2 of a cultural events site at North Byron Parklands in Yelgun.
“These applications were publicly exhibited from 7 October 2010 to 19 November 2010 and the submissions received, as well as the proponent’s response to submissions are available on the Department’s major projects website,” the Department stated.
“Once the Department completes its assessment report, the applications will be referred to the independent Planning Assessment Commission to determine.”
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