Voice of Byron regular, James Mott, asks the question, “Did you know 30% of Byron Shire Council’s money goes towards tourists and tourist facilities?
“That’s 30% of locals’ rates not going towards locals.
“The Byron Shire Council is now trying to raise Byron Shire locals’ rates by 60.2%.
“Ten years of inaction on council has led to deteriorating roads, playgrounds and other community infrastructure.
“We acknowledge that there is a need for action to increase council revenue.
“But, why not ensure that the burden of increased rates falls onto tourists, rather than residents?
“Increasing the number of business ratepayers by including holiday lets, AirBnB and other short-term rentals would increase our revenue, acting as a de facto bed tax. Additional revenue could be gained from increasing parking fees at popular tourist locations like Main Beach and Wategos. This would ensure the burden is placed on tourists, not locals.
“TELL THE COUNCIL: DON’T CHARGE LOCALS AN EXTRA 60%. Make tourists pay their fair share too.
I am a frequent visitor of Byron bay and I would be quite happy to pay a toll fare rather then the cost fall on byrons residents. Byron shouldn’t be an area for the rich and putting rates up by 60% is one way of ensuring that.
This is fair…. after all, the tourists and those servicing the industry of TOURISM should be paying for the privelage. Locals are being forced out of town owing to rising costs to sustain a lifestyle that is fast being eroded by the operators of the said Airbnb and Holiday lets who just keep getting FATTER….