13.2 C
Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Byron Bay to have CCTV ‘by Christmas’

Latest News

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Other News

Lynda Dean – a life of love and making the world a better place

My beloved Lynda Dean was the rock and the heart that held in place not only me and our family, but an extraordinary network of friends and communities throughout the Byron Shire and far beyond.

Given up the ghost

We are informed that Byron Shire Council (BSC) has, in a sense, ‘given up the ghost’.  It has run...

Tweed Shire Council update

Tweed Council's latest meeting included motions on solar panel recycling, free speech, financial sustainability and Clarrie Hall Dam.

Need a little free legal advice?

Lawyers from Tyndall & Co say they will provide free legal advice covering most areas of law including domestic violence, elder abuse and visa issues at their upcoming Pro Bono Cafe in Byron.

Cameras rolling on Ballina crime fight

A $1 million CCTV network targeting crime hotspots and major roads in Ballina and Lennox Head is finally moving into the installation phase, following years of calls for greater surveillance across the shire.

Byron’s Philo Café

Byron’s long-running discussion group – Byron Philo Café – is inviting members of the general public to join them on Friday, 4 September, at Marvell Hall, to welcome one of Australia’s most respected journalists.

Cameras will be installed around Byron Bay's CBD as part of a strategy to make the streets safer. (file pic)
Cameras will be installed around Byron Bay’s CBD as part of a strategy to make the streets safer. (file pic)

Want to have a photograph with Santa?

You could get one for free if you spend too much time in Byron Bay’s Railway Park this Christmas – or one of 27 other sites around the town, as Byron Shire Council gets set to install controversial CCTV cameras.

Opponents of the cameras have included privacy advocates but the chief concern of council had been the costs for installing and maintaining the service.

Now Council has received federal funding for the cameras, as part of its strategy to reduce drunken and antisocial behaviour in the Bay after hours.

The cameras are being installed in locations from Apex Park at the beachfront, down Jonson Street to Railway Park and the transport hub (ending at Marvell Street).

Installation will start this week and council advises there may be ‘minor disruptions to pedestrians and car parking as installers move along the street installing cabling.’

Disruptions of one or two days may be expected in some locations, and safety barriers and signage will be in place.

Council’s director of corporate management and community services, Mark Arnold said the Australian government funding for the cameras and lighting was provided ‘to help improve public safety in identified hot spots and address anti-social and unlawful behaviour.’

‘The program builds on recent lighting upgrades in Apex and Railway Parks, around the Byron Bay Taxi rank and includes additional lighting on the corner of Bay and Jonson Streets,’ he said.

Mr Arnold added the camera locations have been based on crime statistics provided by NSW Police and the results of the 2008 and 2013 Community Safety Audits of the Byron Bay town centre.

He said no personal information collected by the CCTV cameras will be disclosed to third parties, ‘unless allowed under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998′.

A yearly audit of the system will be undertaken and a CCTV Code of Practice is available on council’s website.

 



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.

Katie Milne responds to Tweed’s draft housing and employment strategy

The former mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Kate Milne, has shared her submission to Tweed's Draft Growth Management Housing & Employment Strategy.