Splendour in the Grass festival 'to return to Byron Bay in 2012'

Splendour In The Grass is tipped to return to Byron Bay this year.

The Australian music festival, which last year featured headliners Coldplay, Kanye West and Pulp, has taken place in Woodford in Queensland for the past two years because of a dispute over the festival site.

However, it should now take place at its original home of the Belongil Fields this July.

Splendour's co-producer Jessica Ducrou told The ABC: "Despite great efforts to have the festival at North Byron Parklands this year, we are yet to have a determination on the application. In the meantime and after much consideration, we are excited at the prospect of returning to the birthplace of Splendour.

"[It] allows us to give our audience the true Splendour experience, a quality music and arts festival combined with that distinctive Byron culture. We'd like to thank Woodfordia and the very wonderful Bill Hauritz, Mayor Allan Sutherland and Moreton Bay Regional Council for welcoming us with open arms and hosting our event for the last two years."

Byron Shire mayor Jan Barham added: "Splendour's home is Byron Bay and there is defined benefit that the festival delivers to the area, especially in winter, so it is a welcome return."

In 2010, when Splendour in the Grass was relocated, the Australian Federal Government announced that it would not be returning to Byron Bay.

Youth minister Kate Ellis said: "Our commitment [is] to the Woodford site and that's where it will remain. These are festivals which are attended by people right around the nation and indeed right around the world. So they'll all benefit from having the sort of infrastructure in place that can cater for these crowds."