To the Councillors and General Manager of Byron Shire Council, and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART):

Byron Shire Council is proposing a massive, compounded 35.03% total rate increase over three years, by applying for 'Special Rate Variations' (SVR's) in addition to the Rate Peg. During a severe cost-of-living crisis, this financial burden is unacceptable—especially when community funds are not being managed fairly or efficiently.

We, the undersigned residents, business owners, and ratepayers of the Byron Shire, formally oppose this rate hike. We demand immediate accountability on two major issues before any rate increases are considered:

Stop Favoring Byron Bay: For too long, capital expenditure has been heavily concentrated in Byron Bay. Residents in Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow, and the rural hinterlands pay high rates but see neglected roads, failing drainage, and crumbling local infrastructure. We demand a transparent, geographic audit of where our money is actually being spent.
Cut Council Operational Waste:Byron Shire Council’s internal staff and wage costs per capita raise serious questions when compared to our neighbours in Ballina and Tweed. Council must look inward and cut senior executive fat and operational inefficiencies before taking the easy way out by taxing struggling families.
Our Demands:

VOTE NO to submitting the SRV application resulting in a total rate increase of over 35% over three years to IPART.
ORDER A SPATIAL AUDIT of the infrastructure budget to ensure non-Byron Bay towns get their fair share of funding.
CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT WAGE & EFFICIENCY REVIEW to benchmark Byron Council's employee costs against neighbouring shires.
Don't let Council price locals out of the Shire. Sign the petition today to demand a fair go for all residents!