Byron Bay Surf School owner-oper- ator Jayme Edwards has won a hard- fought battle to stay afloat as a surf instructor.
On July 31 last year The Echo report- ed Jayme’s ten-year business and elite surf coach Steve Foreman’s tender applications were rejected in favour of a higher ‘blind bid’ from other op- erators. It was despite the pair being established longtime operators with impeccable records.

The decision led to the tendering process being reviewed indepen- dently and sparked division with the then-councillors, led by former mayor Jan Barham.

That review, by Sydney-based com- pany Grant Thornton, found that the Byron Shire Council did not use ‘the most appropriate method for assess- ing and scoring the sub-licence fee criteria considering the nature and circumstances of the tender.’ The re- viewers also added they, ‘do not be- lieve there is a sound basis for the panel to make the recommendation to award the contracts to the success- ful tenderers.’

And now Council and state gov- ernment departments have agreed to allow an extra commercial sub-li- cence – from four to five – for opera- tors to teach surfing on Main Beach, Byron Bay.

Now a fixed fee
Additionally, a fixed fee will be set for future commercial activities sub- licences, according to Byron Shire acting general manager, Ray Darney.

‘The fee will need to be determined and set prior to the next tender,’ he told The Echo. ‘As yet, the tender process for the commercial activities sub-licences has not been reviewed, but will be reviewed prior any further tenders being invited for commercial activities on coastal reserves.’