Byron Baes deemed disrespectful to traditional owners as opposition grows over show release

“We do not accept a donation from Eureka Productions or Netflix”: The controversial reality show has been dealt another blow ,with claims Bundjalung people were not consulted prior to filming season one.

The controversial reality show, Byron Baes, has been dealt another blow with damning reports from Byron Bay’s traditional owners that claim showrunners failed to consult the community prior to filming.

On Thursday, the Arakwal corporation representing the Bundjalung people of Byron Bay issued an “unanimous” statement regarding the Netflix and Eureka Productions show.

In it, they stressed the Bundjalung community was not consulted prior to the filming of season one or before the production was announced, according to general manager Sharon Sloane.

“We do not accept a donation from Eureka Productions or Netflix,” Ms Sloane said.

“We are not in agreement with the nature of the series concept, as it does not respect our community, cultural practices and values.

“We support the wider Byron community in their sentiment towards the production.”

It is the latest nail in the coffin for the reality show claiming to showcase a “playground of more celebrity-adjacent-adjacent influencers than you can poke a selfie stick at”.

Just recently, Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey deemed the streaming project “a big hand grenade” being thrown at the fabric of the community.

Local businesses owners have closed doors to filming and over 9000 locals signed a petition to refuse the company filming permits.

In their only official statement to the public, Netflix said the show aimed to “build a connection between the people we meet in the show, and ourselves as the audience.”

“The reason behind choosing Byron Bay as a location was driven by the area’s unique attributes as a melting pot of entrepreneurialism, lifestyle and health practices, and the sometimes uneasy coming together of the traditional ‘old Byron’ and the alternative ‘new’, all of which we’ll address in the series,” a Netflix spokesman said.

Ms Sloane said the Arakawal Corporation would not be commenting further as it chose to focus on “looking after our lands, our waters and our significant sites”.

“The Arakwal Board of Directors are passionate about respecting Country and Culture, working together caring for Country, strengthening our Culture and valuing our people, building trust, and growing understanding of our people‘s story and cultural values is our priority,” she said.

“We would like to be able to focus on this important work. ”