Splendour in the Grass continues to meet opposition from locals, including Bluesfest director Peter Noble, as the festival attempts to return to Byron Bay.
This week the Public Assessment Commission [PAC] conducted public hearings, which allowed locals to express their concerns about the possible environmental impacts should Splendour in the Grass return to Byron Bay and set up permanent residence on the Yelgun site at North Byron Parklands.
The Yelgun site is partially owned by Splendour in the Grass and, if their festival’s application is successful, organisers will be able to host numerous events throughout the year. However, a likely consequence of such action is a long-term negative impact on the surrounding environment, as reported by MusicFeeds in 2009.
Among those in opposition to Splendour’s relocation is Bluesfest director Peter Noble, whose festival is currently held annually in Byron Bay. According to themusic.com.au, Noble was described as “vicious” as he argued the event policy of Shire Councillor Basil Cameron. Noble protested that it would be “unfair” of North Byron Parklands to grant Splendour 365 days of operational approval when Bluesfest is only allocated 5 days at Tyagarah.
Other locals were more concerned for the environmental impact, but stressed it was not the Splendour Festival they opposed, simply the issues of sustainability that surrounds multiple festivals held at the Yelgun site.
For more insight, watch locals speak for themselves in this Echo clip…
