What will the SEP do?
A Byron town SEP (special entertainment precinct) will not prevent future floods, fires, lower visitor numbers, high rents or most obviously a per-capita recession. It is not possible to ‘future-proof’ against these things. It does however risk very real unintended consequences should the fears of many residents, health professionals et al be realised and it would be near impossible to unscramble this egg.
Byron Bay is certainly a magical place but it is not a magic pudding, it is subject to the same economic forces as the rest of the east coast of Australia. If the council wishes to help the town back on its feet with ‘vibrancy and activation’ it is possible to do so within the existing framework. A good starting point would be getting all the wonderful creative people who make up this town and community together to discuss how. Locking into a SEP of virtually the entire town centre, based around liquor licensing is not the way forward.
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. 
