Byron Shire Council says it will be working with the Tweed Byron Police District and National Parks and Wildlife Service this Christmas-New Year to keep public areas safe and make sure they are not taken over by large groups of people for extended periods of time.
It is the busiest time of the year for the Council’s enforcement team, with staff working across weekends and public holidays, starting early, and finishing late at night, keeping an eye on parking and illegal camping.
‘The huge increase in visitor numbers at this time of year puts enormous pressure on our towns and villages and Council staff will be out and about, enforcing parking and no camping rules,’ Sarah Nagel, Manager Public and Environment Services said.
‘No one wants to receive a fine but people get frustrated when they can’t get a park and it’s important the parking spaces turn over regularly so there is more opportunity for everyone,’ she said.
‘Visitors should also know that camping in residential streets, beach carparks, national parks, nature reserves, or on Crown land, is against the law and fines will be issued.
‘An increasing problem in our shire are dogs that are allowed to roam or that are walked off-leash or in areas where they are not allowed and the Enforcement team will be targeting this as well,’ she said.
Police are reminding visitors and residents that they will be enforcing alcohol free zones especially in the Byron Bay CBD and Brunswick Heads.
‘Our message to people is that they need to respect our community, the people who live here and the natural environment,’ Ms Nagel said.
‘The Byron Shire is a beautiful area and we all have a role to play in making sure it stays that way; that is clean, safe and our wildlife and biodiversity are protected,’ she said.
Information about parking and dog off-leash areas is on Council’s website.
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