Byron Shire Council votes to push ahead with ‘special entertainment precinct’ plans

A controversial entertainment precinct in Byron Bay has moved a step closer despite community fears it could turn the already popular coastal town into a “party destination”.

Byron has had its fair share of wild times in the past, but mostly confined to Schoolies week. In 2012 during Schoolies celebrations, a young man lays in a backstreet passed out with his friends trying to assist him. Picture: News Corp.

A controversial entertainment precinct in Byron Bay has moved a step closer despite community fears it could turn the already popular coastal town into a “party destination”.

Byron Shire Council has voted to push ahead with plans to establish a “special entertainment precinct” in Byron to help stimulate night-life.

It would be the first area outside Sydney to get an SEP which were introduced by the NSW Government in 2023 as part of “vibrancy reforms” aimed at reinvigorating the state’s night economy.

Council officers recommended a trial of the SEP proceed despite “consistent feedback that people do not want Byron Bay to become another party town”.

“There is concern that the proposed trial Special Entertainment Precinct will undermine Byron Bay’s brand, tourism reputation, and community / resident / visitor wellbeing,” a council report said.

Council are willing to adopt a trial but fear the community feedback to date has been far too negative. Picture: File.

The council on Thursday resolved to proceed to the next phase of implementing an SEP trial after a marathon debate during which councillors and residents spoke passionately for and against it.

Greens councillor Delta Kay said there was already “scary” violence in Byron and feared an SEP would make it worse.

She said residents were now watching schoolies “vomiting on the side of the road, young girls screaming and packs of boys hunting them down”, while parents were at the pub “with babies on their hips”.

“That’s what Byron is,” she said.

A young woman being escorted to a paddy wagon by Byron Police. Picture: File.

Local mum Rachael Calvert told the council meeting she previously thought an SEP could be “really cool for Byron Bay” but was now “genuinely shocked” at the size and scale of the proposal which had “terrified the pants off the community”

Street violence in Byron Bay New Years Eve 2013.

“I don’t understand why something so big would be implemented into a small coastal town that’s full of nature and community and children and schools - it’s mind-blowing to me actually.”

Another Byron local, Paul Jones, told councillors that the SEP’s intention was to promote Byron’s night economy but “I speak in favour of our Byron culture of balance, sensitivity and a healthy lifestyle”.

Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce President Matt Williamson said the days of Byron being a “sleepy, coastal town” are over, and that the township would benefit from the SEP. Picture: Instagram.

“Byron must continue to celebrate its quiet time for environmental awareness, meditation, introspection, sleep and rejuvenation as much as its already extraordinary diverse and vibrant entertainment scene,” he said.

“I call on council to reject the city-focused, 24/7 entertainment precinct. It is inappropriate for a small town like Byron Bay where we value the quiet times as much as the festival.”

Another SEP opponent, Chris Hanley, said the scheme was “like trying to use a chainsaw to bang in a nail”.

“I’ve never understood what the problem is we were trying to fix,” he said.

“(The proposed SEP) does not reflect the view of the overwhelming majority of the people of Byron Bay.

But Byron Chamber of Commerce president Matt Williamson told the meeting that local businesses supported the SEP which could benefit the entire community.

“The reality is we’re not a small, coastal sleepy town. As much as some people might want it to be, we are not,” he said.

“We are a town that upwards of two million people come and visit us, and if you look at the developments that are happening in town at the moment, many more people will come in the future.

Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said the SEP was a great opportunity for Byron.

“That is just a reality. No-one can stand up at the (town entry) roundabout with a big sign saying ‘keep driving, we’re full’. Having an SEP gives us an ability to exercise some control now before things get well and truly out of hand.”

The meeting heard that late-night trading would not be extended under the SEP.

Opponents were also warned that Byron could miss out on critical government funding if they dumped or delayed a trial, and businesses, festivals and events would continue to be strangled by red tape.

Byron mayor Sarah Ndiaye said the SEP was a “great opportunity” for Byron to get funding for much-needed security and transport improvements and successfully put forward a motion for a smaller precinct to go out to public consultation.

Originally published as Byron Shire Council votes to push ahead with ‘special entertainment precinct’ plans