AND JUST LIKE THAT 1999 WAS 25 YEARS AGO The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #43 • April 3, 2024 • www.echo.net.au
Free locals parking on its way
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Paul Bibby A majority of Byron councillors have reiterated their commitment to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads, despite some asserting that the move is ‘completely fiscally irresponsible’. Endorsed by Council in December last year, the pay parking scheme will see more than a dozen parking meters installed in the centre of Bruns, as well as in the parking zones running parallel to the beach. When originally passed by Council, the new policy included a clause stating that all locals would be entitled to a free parking permit, rather than paying the current $55 annual fee. This would essentially mean that locals could park for free anywhere in the Shire, assuming they met the criteria to obtain a permit.
!şƖŕĈĶō ƆƐëǔ şżżşƆĕĎ But Council staff opposed this clause, arguing that it would produce a flood of parking permit applications which staff will be unable to handle, exacerbate existing traffic and parking issues, and cost Council up to $1 million in lost revenue and administrative costs. However, after a lengthy and impassioned debate at last week’s Council meeting, a majority of councillors voted to reiterate their support for the free permit clause. ▶ Continued on page 3
Sea Shepherd’s ocean protection looks to new horizons ▶ p4
Tex Perkins was on fire at The Cruel Sea’s Bluesfest set on Saturday. The band formed in 1987, but paused performing after the death of keyboardist/ guitarist James Cruickshank in 2015. The recently reformed lineup now includes Matt Walker. Photo Jeff ‘Call 000’ Dawson
T
he 35th Bluesfest wrapped up on Monday in Tyagarah , with international and Australian acts energising large crowds and providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. And despite occasional rain and some bogged vehicles, its Director, Peter Noble said in a statement: ‘I have booked many, many editions of Bluesfest in the past, but I have not had one come together as well as this one did, in so many ways’. ‘There were brilliant
Afghan Files whistleblower speaks ▶ p7
performances every single day of the festival, beginning with Taj Farrant at the campers’ festival on Wednesday, before the event officially started’.
Attendance same as 2023 ‘We’re still calculating the numbers, but we know the attendance for Bluesfest this year was at least the same as in 2023. ‘We have held our position, and as much as we would like to see more people come, it’s not going
to happen until interest rates drop. We do ask our government to support our industry until then. ‘We all know that the music industry is facing challenges right now. The interest rate rises, intended to curb the disposable dollar spending, have influenced all aspects of the industry except for superstars touring, such as Taylor Swift. ‘Bluesfest will be 125 million per cent back in 2025. Our Early Bird tickets for Bluesfest 2025 are already selling well’.
Politics of live music: what are festivals worth? ▶ p16
He said, ‘From the first day to the last, there were so many outstanding performances’. While it was difficult to pick the highlights, Mr Noble said some were Here Come the Mummies, Sweet Talk, Ben Swissa, Erja Lyytinen and The Women of Soul Collective, Katie Malua, Drive-By Truckers, Tom Jones, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Snarky Puppy, Tom Jones, PJ Morton, Brad Cox, Yirrmal, Peter Garrett, The Teskey Brothers, Jimmy Barnes 19-Twenty, and Taj Mahal.
April Echo Property Magazine with this issue