By Megan Gorrey
The beachside enclave of Byron Bay will become the first regional NSW town to get a protected late-night entertainment precinct, under a state government push to boost nightlife by relaxing rules around trading hours and noise complaints for live music venues.
Music and Night-time Economy Minister John Graham will on Saturday announce Byron Shire Council will trial a “special entertainment precinct” to protect the popular pubs, bars, restaurants and venues along Bay Street and Jonson Street, as well as nearby Middleton and Browning streets.
Local band the Seeding plays to crowds in the centre of Byron Bay, after the Splendour in the Grass music festival was cancelled due to bad weather in 2022.Credit: Natalie Grono
The trial will be the first outside Sydney and follows the success of the state’s first special entertainment precinct on Enmore Road.
Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said the scheme was an opportunity for the council to collaborate with the region’s artists, venues, businesses and residents to shape a night-time culture that was “vibrant, welcoming and truly reflective of Byron’s creative spirit and coastal lifestyle”.
“We want to create a night-time experience that not only supports our local economy but also celebrates the essence of Byron – its people, its stories and its unmistakable energy,” she said.
Byron Bay – a hippy and surfing mecca turned tourism and tree-changer hotspot on the North Coast – has felt the pressure of rising living costs, a booming population and surging property prices.
The special entertainment precinct policy, created by the former Coalition government, gives councils the option to introduce more favourable trading conditions for live music venues, restaurants and bars within a defined area.
The Byron Bay precinct will cover legendary venues such as The Backroom at The Northern Hotel, the Beach Hotel and The Rails Hotel, which have hosted the White Stripes, P. J. Harvey, Paul Kelly, Nirvana, Midnight Oil and the Whitlams.
Under the scheme, live music venues typically receive a two-hour trading extension on nights when live music is offered, and one hour on other nights. Councils can also set later default trading hours that supersede the venue’s development consent.
Sound levels are managed by council noise management plans to provide greater certainty for venues and shield them from unreasonable complaints.
The Rails Hotel is a popular live music venue on Jonson Street, which is in the trial special entertainment precinct. Credit: Natalie Grono
Graham said the government’s plan to revive the after-dark economy was not limited to Sydney, and six regional councils had expressed interest in the scheme. Byron Shire received $162,800 from the government to consult venue operators and residents on new opening hours and sound rules.
“A night out in Byron Bay has been a special part of the lives of so many people, whether they are locals to the area or visitors getting a taste of North Coast NSW.
“Byron Shire is an iconic destination and the establishment of a trial special entertainment precinct will ensure the classic days continue well into the night,” Graham said.
The government last month said Burwood and Fairfield councils would trial the scheme.
The move to make it easier for venues to operate comes months after the Splendour in the Grass music festival, typically held annually in Byron, was cancelled for the second year in a row.
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