Byron Bay bush party busted up by police at Tyagarah Nature Reserve

Police say sound and lighting equipment as well as illegal drugs were found when they were called to break up unauthorised gatherings in national parks north of Byron Bay.

Police say party-goers at unauthorised gatherings went running into bushland after officers arrived.

They charged 11 people after being called to unauthorised gatherings held in Tyagarah Nature Reserve, north of Byron Bay and Billinudgel Nature Reserve, north of Brunswick Heads on Saturday night.

A police spokesman said officers were called to Tyagarah Nature Reserve just after 9.15pm.

He said the crowd dispersed into bushland when police arrived.

Officer were then called to a separate event at Billinudgel Nature Reserve about 1am Sunday.

“The organiser, a 25-year-old man, was spoken to with sound and lighting equipment and prohibited drugs seized from the site,” police said.

The Byron Bay man was cautioned after being found with marijuana and fined $1000 for breaching a public health order.

He was also fined for drinking alcohol in a national park.

Police then started breath testing drivers at the intersection of Jones and Wooyung Roads.

They charged five people for mid-range drink driving and another five for low-range drink driving.

Another four drivers were issued infringements for traffic offences.

The spokesman said a Toyota Hiace was stopped by officers on Wooyong Road after failing to stop at the site.

Police allege the driver fled into nearby bushland and after a foot pursuit, a 21-year-old man was found injured with a suspected fractured ankle.

He was treated by paramedics and taken to Tweed Hospital, under police guard, for treatment.

The man was later taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with driving while disqualified.

He is due to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on December 6.

Inquiries continue to identify attendees and further breaches.

Tweed/Byron Police District commander David Roptell said unauthorised gatherings of would not tolerated and asked people to report them.

“Not only are events like these illegal, but they also pose a serious safety risk to attendees and responding police due to the location and terrain,” Superintendent Roptell said.

“The local community and environment are also being impacted by the noise and the rubbish left behind.

“Police will work closely with National Parks and Wildlife Services to target these events and prosecute offenders accordingly.”