The extreme wealth & poverty of Byron Bay | Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian | ABC TV + iview

Miriam Margolyes explores Byron Bay and discovers a heartbreaking social problem - poverty and homelessness in the face of extreme wealth. #ImpossiblyAustralian
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Following a recent heart operation in London, Miriam is worried about what the future holds. So, ignoring everyone's advice to "slow down", she returns to Australia, a place she considers her second home and a country that, for her, has always meant new horizons.
Across the three-part series, she embarks on a personal mission, travelling to Perth, Byron Bay and Broken Hill, meeting communities that are facing change and who can teach her how to adapt to whatever the future holds.
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[@fiddlestix3025]

What can you say? As an avid visitor to Byron Bay, both for holidays and for visits to friends, it comes as the saddest thing to hear that the locals themselves are being pushed out of their beautiful home town, whilst big money is moving in and taking over. Whatever the reasons, but it shouldn’t be possible for business interests to take over a place in such a garish way. I’m sure it’s a complex problem, consisting of many layers. But I feel, not enough has been done to prevent this disaster, by a long shot-.

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

I have lived on the north coast for 22 years originally from Sydney and have seen a lot since the last pandemic and floods in Lismore and Ballina shire areas

[@clareduffy7269]

And yet there is a friendliness, a community atmosphere in the Northern Rivers that feels rare.. maybe I don’t know any different as I’ve lived in Byron Bay for the past 12 years, so maybe that does exist elsewhere. It’s become home for me and while yes it’s a struggle if you’re not working the 9-5 grind, it definitely pushes you to find increasingly creative ways to live the lifestyle, chase your dreams, live life now, find purpose in your work/career, and surround yourself with like-minded and open-minded people in this melting pot of cultures, creativity and opportunity. I opted for van life and full time house sitting to pursue my illustration and while it’s been a 2 year long adventure I miss the stability and focus a home creates. I officially have a permanent home again and while sharing with 4 others when you’re in your mid-thirties and your peers are starting families so you can go back to study is confronting it sure does feel like the alternative, experience rich life I always wanted. I feel lucky I can choose it, we all choose to be here, we find a way

[@AussieAngel826]

Byron Bay in 90s was so affordable

[@woodybalfour8213]

2.3K No comments...I wonder if this has something to do with Australian dream aspiration to wealth and ownership cognitive dissonance...Can we end negative gearing investment property portfolios and AirBnB corruption of community...No bc our leaders are all guilty of this...

[@rickygranozio8625]

God bless you Mariam Margolyes even though you are a Pom we will always consider you a proud Aussie ❤️🇦🇺

[@suzetteperkins1089]

The yuppies ruined byron

[@tahiti1]

I feel so fortunate to have visited free spirited Byron just before the developers and Sydneysider weekenders moved in.. When I visited a few years later it had been completely spoilt by money and commercialism.

[@user370Z]

I was there in 86 when it was unspoilt. When I went back a few years ago, I was shocked to say the least! Too many wealthy people discovered the place much like Port Douglas in Nth Queensland.

[@powerlawrence9259]

Last place I’d visit.

[@Peta8888]

You didn't tell me you were in town!? (Well up the road) Wish I'd seen you beautiful human xo it's is getting worse, this divide between rich and poor. The distance now between the two is vast..

[@kattoneycliffe6715]

Been to Byron Bay!!

[@ix-Xafra]

Byron Bay has the most single mothers per capita of any shire in Australia

[@21stcenturyozman20]

I love how MM tells things like she sees them. No bullshit, straight to your face responses. Example [mincing influencer queen seeking validation]: "Do you like my outfit?" [MM]: "No." 💯💯💯

[@daleharlow6006]

Stives in Cornwall

[@DAN87NATIONAL]

We can all do better 🇺🇸+🇦🇺! Much love here from the USA ❤

[@cherylmitchell9285]

Mullumbimby has changed too money money money that hippy vibe gone cash up from Sydney homes

[@CreateMakeEnterprise]

But they are all trying to live in one of the most upscale expensive places. Byron was expensive before Covid or housing crisis. They could have moved somewhere cheaper to make things a little easier on themselves. It certainly did help when VIC and NSW people panicked during Covid and tried to move up to QLD all at once to avoid lockdown. And find out they couldn’t cross the border. They should have stayed put in their homes and waited it out. It wasn’t that long before things went back to normal.

[@Food_world369]

❤❤

[@gizmomac1520]

Why cant the government welfare help these people? Seems Centrelink cant help everyone afterall 😢

[@sickintheguts2985]

And the reality sets in.......no more soft landing........no more fairy tales ......Hard times ahead........Just the beginning of a world of hurt.

[@mickzammit6794]

The wealthy came,saw and conquered. Kudos to them. The place had long since become a flea pit.

[@Kathy-kr1sv]

People love to live free. The say. I'm homeless Get a J. O. B. and put up with the same hum drum of others IF you want roots

[@amymohanty1045]

We can fund rise to set up communal living place....the weather will worn down people than anything else...