It appears the Byron Bay council in their wisdom have allocated a quota for the number of Festivals allowed in the town and that means shows meant for Byron Bay cannot go ahead because the quota has been filled.
Peter Noble - Image By Ros O'Gorman
Promoter Michael Chugg says an Elton John show he had planned for Byron Bay in November this year is now going to regional Queensland.
“I would point out that my company had spoken to Mr Noble about using the Bluesfest site for a concert with Sir Elton John in November this year 2012 but the ridiculous short sighted policy of the council has once again seen a major event go to regional Queensland,” Chugg said in a statement.
Bluesfest boss Peter Noble says, “Now that the Splendour site in Byron shire has been given an approval to hold 3 major events on their land by the NSW state government the festival quota in Byron shire under the Events Policy of 2 festival yearly is taken up and IF the council do not amend their policy we would need to move away from Byron shire once our current approval expires in 2020. THIS IS NOT RIGHT”.
The artists are giving their support to Peter Noble. “Peter Noble and the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival have been such an important part of my musical world over the years and I can honestly say I would not have the career I have without their support,” writes Kasey Chambers.
“I also see these cultural events bringing the obvious benefit of artistic diversity and inspiration to the people of the Northern Rivers region and extra revenue to local businesses with the Bryon area,” says John Butler.
“This kind of thing is not supposed to happened in Australia, other places perhaps, but not here,” said Ben Harper.
Bluesfest has started a petition to have the Byron Bay events policy overturned.
Sign the petition and register your support here.
http://www.bluesfest.com.au/pages/?PageID=206
