Win For Aussie Festival Promoters

A proposal by Byron Shire Council to restrict events drawing more than 5,000 people to two per year was overturned by the New South Wales government in Australia.

The council argued festivals upset the tranquil lifestyle of the sleepy area. Festivals promoters lobbied against the move.
Bluesfest and Splendour In The Grass have recently set up permanent sites on which to hold other events. Bluesfest’s Peter Noble, the most ardent of the lobbyists, said that the original idea behind the two-per-year policy was to stop illegal raves on beaches and forests.

These are no longer held but it was used by council to apply to festivals. “This was always illegal,” Noble said. He is now demanding council reveal how much all this has cost rate-payers – and suggested that in future Council consult with the large local arts community when issues affect them.