Love Island will still be filmed in Byron hinterland after mayor Michael Lyon withdraws support

The network behind the show is disappointed the Byron mayor withdrew support, but says they will be able to meet the 30-day turnaround.

Sophie Monk in a finale of a previous season of Love Island. Supplied by Channel 9

Filming of reality romance show Love Island Australia is expected to go ahead in the Byron hinterland village of Federal.

This is despite Byron Shire Council withdrawing its support of the project and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment saying this meant they would not back the exemption.

But that exemption is only needed after 30 days of filming. The film set, on private property, can operate for that period of time under existing statewide exempt development rules.

Love Island Australia is being produced by ITV Studios for 9 Network.

Reality star, podcaster and TV host Abbie Chatfield will be involved in the upcoming season of Love Island Australia.

The project is supported by Screen NSW’s Made in Australia Fund.

9 Network program director Hamish Turner acknowledged in a statement the council’s concerns about the project going ahead in the Byron Shire.

“We acknowledge the mayor’s comments and although disappointing, we are planning to ensure Love Island production, which has not commenced filming, is completed within existing regulations to ensure the show is ready for our audiences,” Mr Turner said.

“All productions are conducted in accordance with the strictest health and safety regulations, testing, and isolation.”

Byron mayor Michael Lyon pulled support for the program’s extended filming after another ITV Studios production was associated with a Covid-19 scare which sent the Tweed and Byron Shires into a seven day lockdown.

A makeup artist from Sydney, employed to work on the Tweed Valley set of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! has been charged over alleged Covid-19 breaches relating to her time visiting the North Coast.

Love Island Australia is expected to premiere on Monday, October 11 at 8.45pm, according to 9 Network.

The premise of the show is that the “tanned, trim and toned islanders” are sent off to find “the one” in a villa on a private property in Federal.

“The Islanders must couple up, stay together, and win over the hearts of the public, all while surviving the temptations of beautiful bombshells entering the villa,” 9 Network said in a statement.

Sophie Monk will return to host the show while comedian Stephen Mullan will be narrator and Abbie Chatfield will host the Thursday night afterparties.