Petition to Save North Byron Parklands for Year-Round Festivals

The Issue:

North Byron Parklands, home to Australia’s most iconic music festivals, including Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival, is threatened. Instead of being protected and invested in as a permanent cultural landmark, this critical site is at risk of being sold off to private developers—likely becoming another overpriced wellness retreat or luxury accommodation that locals wouldn't want and don’t need.

If our government truly cared about culture, this wouldn’t be a debate but a given. Music, arts, and festivals are not a luxury but a core part of Australia’s identity, economy, and community spirit.

Would the UK ever let Worthy Farm—the site of Glastonbury Festival—be sold off? Would the US allow the Empire Polo Club, home to the Coachella, to be bulldozed for private interests? Not. Why should Australia allow one of its last great festival sites to disappear?

Why This Matters:

 • A Hub for the Northern Rivers Music & Arts Scene: The Northern Rivers region has endured devastating floods in 2022 and, most recently, Cyclone Alfred. Festivals and cultural events have been a lifeline for economic and community recovery. Losing North Byron Parklands would destroy opportunities for local musicians, artists, and event workers who depend on these festivals to survive.

 • Economic & Job Creation Benefits: Festivals at North Byron Parklands and Byron Events Farm inject hundreds of millions into the local economy annually, supporting thousands of jobs in music, arts, hospitality, retail, tourism, and transport. The local economy cannot afford to lose this.

 • Weatherproofing & Sustainability: Climate change has already put many Australian festivals at risk due to flooding, storms, and extreme weather cancellations. Instead of letting this site be lost, the government should invest in infrastructure to make it a climate-resilient, sustainable festival venue for the future.

 • Preserving Byron’s Cultural Identity: Byron Bay built its reputation on music, arts, and counterculture. Turning its most crucial festival site into another luxury wellness retreat would erase its cultural soul and replace it with an exclusive, commercialised playground.

 • International Reputation & Tourism: Australia is already falling behind as a global festival and live music destination. The UK and US invest in their cultural infrastructure—why is Australia allowing its most crucial festival site to be lost? A permanent, government-backed festival site could make Byron the global music hub it was always meant to be.

Who Benefits from Keeping North Byron Parklands as a Festival and Cultural Hub?

 • Musicians, Artists, & Festival Organizers: A permanent, flood-resilient festival site would provide consistent opportunities for emerging and established artists, event staff, road crews, sound engineers, and production workers.

 • Local Businesses & Workers: Festivals bring tens of thousands of visitors annually, supporting restaurants, pubs, hotels, shops, tour operators, transport services, and security teams.

 • Tourism & Hospitality Industry: Byron Bay relies on festival-driven tourism. Losing this site would strip the region of millions in tourism revenue, while a dedicated, government-backed festival venue would secure its status as a world-class music hub.

 • First Nations & Community Groups: A government-backed venue could include First Nations-led cultural events, Indigenous music showcases, and community programs, ensuring the site benefits everyone—not just corporate developers.

 • Youth & Music Fans: Australia’s younger generations need spaces to experience live music, not overpriced luxury retreats. Festivals are vital to youth culture and keeping live music accessible to all.

 • Environmental Advocates: With the right investment, North Byron Parklands could be a model for sustainable, eco-conscious festivals, incorporating carbon offsetting, water recycling, and renewable energy—rather than another high-impact, elite development.

For Example, the Out To Lunch Festival in Coolangatta in 2024 contributed the following to the local economy over 12 hours (a one-day festival) 

 • 30,000 Tickets Sold

 • $50 million Economic Benefit to the Local Economy

 • $35,320 Raised for the Starlight Foundation & The Pink Elephants Support Network

 • 2,000+ Jobs Created Directly by the Festival

 • Sold-out accommodation across the Gold Coast

 • 200+ Local Businesses Engaged

What We’re Calling For:

 1. The NSW and/or Federal Government will purchase North Byron Parklands and officially designate it as a permanent music, festival, and cultural precinct.

 2. Investment in weatherproof, flood-resilient infrastructure to secure the site for year-round music festivals, concerts, and large-scale community events.

 3. Recognition of the site’s massive economic, tourism, and cultural value through long-term government funding and industry partnerships to support ongoing events.

 4. A clear commitment that North Byron Parklands will remain a live music and festival venue, not be sold off to private developers.

Sign the Petition & Protect the Future of Live Music in Australia!

The undersigned would like to urge the NSW and Australian governments to take action as soon as possible to secure North Byron Parklands as a permanent music and festival venue. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in Australia’s creative economy, support local businesses, and protect one of the world’s most iconic festival locations.

This decision should be simple if our government values Australian culture, arts, and music. Protect North Byron Parklands—keep it for the people, the music, and the future.