North Byron Parklands is a beautiful 660 acre site at Yelgun in the north of the Byron Shire which is proposed as a permanent sustainable cultural event venue.

Latest update
North Byron Parklands has been approved as a cultural event venue by the PAC (Planning and Assessment Commission). Read news here..

Following a rigorous fifteen month investigation process the Department of Planning and Infrastructure finalised their assessment of North Byron Parklands in December 2011, with a recommendation for approval. They then handed the application to the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) to make the final decision regarding whether or not the application would be approved. The PAC held public meetings over two days in February 2012 to hear community views regarding the proposal.

 

Background and vision
A small group of people formed the Billinudgel Property Trust in 2006 with the vision of creating a socially and environmentally viable home for events and celebrations in the Northern Rivers.

Splendour in the Grass was held for nine years at Belongil Fields on Ewingsdale Road in Byron Bay. Belongil Fields is privately owned and the property is currently undergoing a rezoning process for residential development.

Culture and celebration have always been an important part of the social and economic fabric of the Northern Rivers. A viable cultural economy needs events of all sizes for the young, old and everyone in between as it’s the variety within the local cultural economy that gives it sustainability and vitality. Unfortunately however, event organisers have a limited choice of site options.

The space sought to host Splendour and other celebrations needed to be close to a major highway, have few immediate neighbours, be large enough to host major events and have at least the same amount of space again to let nature breathe alone by herself.

After a long search the space was found. Pasture land used for grazing covered two thirds of the 660 acre property, which also had numerous forested areas. Many of these were in need of rehabilitation.

Owning this land has set about a chain of events which have refined the original vision. Providing a space for events and celebrations has become the means through which to nurture an enterprise that in turn can generate enough business within the local region to ensure its economic stability.

Further, the enterprise has committed to supporting local community groups and charities through a Community Grants Fund. This fund would provide in excess of $100,000.00 every year when the enterprise was operating at capacity.

The overall land holding is 258.71 hectares. The area proposed for events including parking, camping etc is 93.29 hectares. Therefore the proposal will use only 37% of the site for event purposes. This limited use allows for intensive regeneration and reforestation works which can be funded by proceeds from the enterprise. Much has been done but plenty more can and should be done on the land to restore and enhance the adjoining nature reserve and the currently fragmented wildlife corridor which straddles the property.

Download: North Byron Parklands – A History

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Contact - community@northbyronparklands.com