Locals furious at rumours The Block is moving to Byron Bay

After years of production in Melbourne’s top suburbs, The Block appears to be heading to Byron Bay and the locals are not happy.

The next season of The Block is set to take place in Byron Bay, angering locals. Picture: Channel 9

Reality show The Block appears to be heading to Byron Bay next year.

After years of production in top Melbourne suburbs, reports are building that the series is heading to Sunrise Boulevard in Sunrise, Byron Bay.

Local reports suggest residents have been made offers well above market value — in some cases $500,000 over — for their homes, with one elderly resident quoted as saying she refused to sell.

Dorothy May, 74, told The Echo that it’s “morally wrong that a reality TV show can come and do this to a community”.

“I was told there was a distinct possibility for these new homes being built as two storey.

“Demolition would start in February, they would start filming in April and go through till September, with an auction possibly in October”.

Co-host Shelley Craft is also based in Byron Bay, which has become a hotspot for celebrities such as the Hemsworth clan, Elyse Knowles, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and a raft of film and TV productions.

The Block’s big production team is largely based in Melbourne, along with executive producer, Julian Cress.

A Nine spokesperson said: “We will not add to speculation on future seasons of The Block, as we’ll announce plans once a decision has been made.”

The latest season of The Block, filmed in Hampton, is the 17th season of the show and starts on August 8.