Byron welcomes back buskers after council lifts street performance ban

The change is in accordance with easing public health orders across the state.

Busker Koolio entertains people after the floodwaters subside in Byron Bay in 2020. Picture: Natalie Grono

No one wants to be the one to ban busking in the streets of Byron Bay.

But Byron Shire Council did this in recent times to help ease the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the community.

Buskers have now been allowed back onto the town’s streets.

Mayor Michael Lyon said this decision, which came into effect on Monday, October 18, was in line with the easing of restrictions for double-vaccinated people across NSW.

“It was really hard for me to have a ban on busking even for that little bit time, at the request of police,” Mr Lyon said.

“But … sometimes you’ve got to do things in this job you don’t really want to do, but you have to do them.”

Mr Lyon said he was glad the council was able to lift the restriction.

“I’m very pleased we were able to get rid of that and get the vibe back into the streets,” he said.

The latest data shows 80.4 per cent of Byron Shire residents have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine while 55.3 per cent are fully vaccinated.

“There has been a very positive response to the vaccination hub that has been operating at the Byron Bay Surf Club for the last two weeks with an average of 200 vaccinations a day recorded,” Mr Lyon said.

“With travel to regional area including the Byron Shire to be open from November 1, our community is getting ready to adjust to life with Covid-19.”

Mr Lyon said he was grateful the state government heeded the concerns of local leaders regarding regional travel.

There were repeated calls for Sydneysiders to be blocked from travel to the regions until there was more time for vaccination rates to get up to speed.

“All indications are that this will be a busy summer for our shire as people, locals and visitors, start to move freely around NSW,” Mr Lyon said.

“Buskers were allowed back on the streets from October 18 but there are crowd restrictions of a maximum of 50 people who must be able to show a vaccination certificate if asked.

“I know many businesses have their fingers crossed that December and January will be bumper months for them, making up for the impact of lockdowns, low visitor numbers and border closures.”

Mr Lyon said it was an important time for people to respect the public health orders and each other.

 “We are expecting some school leavers from other parts of NSW and Victoria to make the pilgrimage north and this will be followed by the summer holidays,” he said.

“There’s nothing we can do about Covid-19 other than acknowledge it, adjust as we need to and get on with it.”