Byron Baes ‘a hand grenade’ for community, according to councillor who called for new approach to proposed filming projects

Councillors have discussed changing the shire’s approach to commercial filming projects to help reduce the conflicts between production companies, their goals and the community.

Members of the public took part in a paddle-out at Byron Bay's Main Beach to protest against the planned Netflix reality show Byron Baes on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

A Byron Shire councillor has likened Netflix reality production Byron Baes to “a big hand grenade” being thrown at the fabric of the community.

The council has voted to review its approach to proposed filming projects within the shire, following controversies around the production.

A notice of motion brought before the May ordinary meeting by councillor Cate Coorey sought changes to the council’s filming policy and filming fee structure.

The motion came out of an urgency motion Ms Coorey took before the council two weeks prior.

Ms Coorey said a report by the council’s staff, accompanying her motion, detailed the “pressures” the Byron Shire was facing as a result of a spike in film productions in the area in the 2020-21 financial year.

Participants in a paddle-out protest in Byron Bay to oppose the Netflix reality show, Byron Baes. Picture: Liana Boss

She said as well as economic impacts, they should be able to consider cultural impacts of filming projects and to assess whether they meet the council’s objectives.

“Byron Baes, for example, I would not say is cultivating and celebrating our diverse cultures, lifestyle and sense of community,” she said.

“I think it’s throwing a big hand grenade into it.”

According to the staff report, filming had substantially increased in the shire.

“It’s ramped up a lot and we’re seeing that Byron is actually coming to be … a preferred location for a constellation of reasons,” Ms Coorey said.

The Byron Shire Council chambers in Mullumbimby.

She said some new productions like Netflix docusoap Byron Baes weren’t adequately accounted for in existing filming protocols.
When the council’s staff clarified the council did not have its own film protocol – this is a statewide document relied upon by councils – Ms Coorey asked that they create a local protocol.

“This is actually about managing something that has grown quite quickly and getting a handle on it before it gets out of control,” she said.

Deputy mayor Sarah Ndiaye supported the motion.

“The proliferation of the film industry activity that’s gone on in the area is a fantastic thing and I’m really excited that it’s providing more opportunities for our younger people as well as our older, incredibly skilled, residents,” she said.

Members of the public took part in a paddle-out at Byron Bay's Main Beach to protest against the planned Netflix reality show Byron Baes on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

“(We are) trying to tidy up how we deal with film companies when they’re wanting to come here. I don’t want the film industry or the television industry marred by this kind of conflict.”

Councillor Alan Hunter said the council had to be “professional” in its approach.

“There’s a lot of advantages in encouraging the right sort of movies, the right sort of industry,” he said.

“We need to be careful we don’t kneejerk react to this one that’s got a lot of people on edge.”

Councillors voted to support a review of the Filming in Public Places Policy and for the development of a local filming protocol.

Only Mr Hunter voted against this action. Councillor Paul Spooner was absent.