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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Spend a night on Jonson Street

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.

Safety and preparation saves lives on the water

A large number of boaters are expected to hit the water over the Easter long weekend and Marine Rescue NSW is reminding boaters to be prepared and log on to the Marine Rescue NSW app.

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

Laid-back but lively

Ooz is an acoustic roots reggae artist with a large, eclectic repertoire of crowd favourites. His unique, laid-back but lively style creates a relaxed atmosphere and his song choices have you remembering many of those forgotten classics.

The Picture House is turning 8

It feels like we were only just ringing in the new year days ago and here we are approaching Easter weekend at The Brunswick Picture House. It’s already been a whirlwind start to 2024 with their biggest and busiest program so far, bringing an eclectic mix of some of the hottest stand-up comedy, music gigs, film screenings and cabaret – and that was just last week!

Casuarina cricketers too strong for Mullumbimby Brunswick in grand final

Mullumbimby Brunswick Cricket Club (MBCC) had a very successful season finishing second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season with 13 wins and 4 losses, but fell short of winning the grand final against the Casuarina Crocs.

Dr David Moss, Byron Bay

I would like to add my name to the growing list of Byron residents demanding a safer, less intoxicated late-night environment in the Byron Bay CBD.

The scale and level of late-night intoxication in the Byron Bay CBD is extraordinary. If anyone still doubts this I suggest you sit on Jonson Street this Saturday night at around 2am and simply observe it. You will be shocked. Frontline police have been repeatedly warning the community that the situation is out of control and that Byron Bay CBD after midnight is a very drunk and a bloody unsafe place to be, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

The key issue here is the level of late-night intoxication. The risk of being a victim of violence, sexual assault and injury in late-night Byron Bay CBD increases with the levels of intoxication of those on the street.

Nobody from Last Drinks seems to be suggesting the town not remain a vibrant attractive place to come late at night. On the contrary, what the community is demanding, as it has demanded many times, is a safe and secure CBD in the late evening and early morning. Again, the single most important issue is a reduction in the level of intoxication, as the police are overwhelmed. If this can be achieved Byron Bay will be a far better and safer late-night town, especially for our young residents and visitors. The evidence from the excellent Newcastle intervention is that hotel and nightclub owners, who got on board and altered their business, did very well. The evidence also is that the drinking behaviour of young people in that area quickly modified.

I think it timely also to remind ourselves that licensees, under the NSW liquor laws, have an obligation to ‘ensure that patrons do not become intoxicated’. Further, the stated objectives of the Liquor Act 2007 are: (i) to minimise harm associated with misuse and abuse of liquor; (ii) to encourage responsible attitudes and practices towards consumption of alcohol; (iii) to ensure that the sale, supply and consumption of liquor contributes to and does not detract from, the amenity of community life.

Byron Bay has many excellent, well-run venues, and like many residents in town, I give them my business regularly. I urge the venue owners to get behind the community on this issue and heed the warnings from the frontline workers who see the carnage that occurs while the rest of us are tucked up in bed. The police deserve and need a strong show of support.


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