Months of roadworks planned for Byron CBD
A number of small local businesses in Byron’s CBD say they face closure after Council’s announcement of major road/drainage works that could last more than three months into the busy summer trading period.
Additionally, all the businesses contacted by The Echo say while they accept the work needs to be done, there has been no discussion around impact, compensation, or the possibility of temporary relocations. They have been told night works are not an option.
The works are planned for Lawson Street, between Middleton and Fletcher Streets, affecting around 15 businesses.
Boards in the Bay
Locals Tayla and partner Tom operate Boards in the Bay, located on Lawson Street. They told The Echo that on August 20, they were informed by Council staff that extensive roadworks are scheduled to commence outside their shop.
‘These works, expected to last for at least three months, are set to begin in just two weeks, with no definitive end date in sight’, they said.
‘Our small businesses have been at the heart of this community for many years. We provide jobs, support the local economy, and contribute to the distinctive charm of Byron Bay. It would be devastating to see this eroded owing to poorly-timed and insufficiently-communicated construction works’.
BAY Active
A few doors down on Lawson Street, Helen is co-owner of clothing store BAY Active. She told The Echo she has been a retailer in Byron Bay for over 20 years, and designs and manufactures ethical and sustainable active-wear and fashion in Australia.
‘This will probably make us go broke’, she told The Echo bluntly, adding that with independently-owned local brands closing, ‘more multinational chain stores will appear, forever changing the streetscape’.
‘Since we moved to Lawson Street in May, we have been dealing with the impacts of the water main upgrade. When we arrived at Lawson Street, we were advised that the works were due to be completed in “the next few weeks”, which turned out to be a few months.
‘Overall, having works going on in the general area, reduced the foot traffic and therefore the number of customers coming into the store, resulting in a downturn in trade of 30 per cent – a layer on top of an already challenging retail climate, this means we have not been able to make enough money to pay the rent. If the drainage upgrade starts before Christmas and we are facing another three months of restricted trade, we will be forced to close the business’.
Atlas Homme
Across the road, it is a similar story. Richard runs men’s clothing retailer, Atlas Homme, which has been operating in the space for four years.
‘I am 95 per cent sure this roadworks will mean I will have to close’, he said. It’s been the worst retail period I have ever had, and was relying on Spring trade to make up lost revenue. The previous construction was finished just 10 days before Christmas. When the works stopped, sales increased ten-fold’.
‘People don’t want to walk around a construction site’.
Richard added that paid parking, with the two hour limit, hampers business. ‘It has to go’, he said. ‘It is unreasonable’.
Byron Bay Deli
Next door to Atlas Homme, Byron Bay Deli owner, Litsa, told The Echo she doesn’t know how she will pay rent while the works are ongoing.
‘It is the icing on the cake for me’, she said, adding that she would rather get flooded again than be subjected to more construction works.
‘We bought just before Covid, and then it flooded. It’s been one thing after another’.
Byron Chamber
Byron Chamber president Matt Williamson told The Echo, ‘Shop owners in Lawson Street, like all of Byron, have suffered through a genuine downturn in business over the last six months’.
‘These works need to happen in the dead of winter, or outside of business hours’.
He said, ‘Look around town, and you will see a huge number of vacant shops. Business owners have suffered through Covid, loss of festivals, slowing economy, and all at the same time, landlords have been increasing rents. The reality is businesses are closing, and of those businesses, it’s typically the local, family-run businesses that are shutting their doors.
‘If we want to stop Byron town becoming an “open-air Westfield” then Council, and us as a community, all need to lean in and help. The simple act of scheduling these works in the dead of winter would be of zero cost to Council, but a genuine help to business’.
Council staff reply
Council staff told The Echo in part that, ‘Council apologises for any inconvenience this causes, however unfortunately this work is necessary’.
‘If we were to push work to February next year, there is a risk that work would not be completed by July, owing to this period being generally the wettest months of the year (February to June).
‘Night works incur significant extra cost, and do not represent value for money to funding providers. Also, they are not typically undertaken for these types of projects.
‘Night works will, however, be further investigated as an option to shorten the construction duration and minimise impacts to businesses if budget is available.’
While no compensation will be offered for the loss of business trade, staff said, ‘Council will be considering opportunities to offer relief to businesses directly impacted by both the Lawson Street works and the broader Byron Bay Town Centre Drainage Project’.
• Questions from The Echo and Byron Shire Council’s responses can be found here.
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