Byron Shire Council (BSC) vote on whether or not to go ahead with the trial Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in Byron’s town centre is expected to take place at one of the November Council meetings, yet there are still significant unanswered questions over funding, alcohol licensing, and safety.
Historical issues over alcohol-fuelled violence in the town have created a key sticking point in the community about the potential extension of liquor licence hours under the SEP.
Greens Mayor Sarah Ndiaye told The Echo that Council are still ‘seeking formal clarification’ on the right of Council to remove or exclude the right of venues to apply for extended liquor licensing and trading hours from the SEP.
‘My current understanding is that late-night venues may apply for extended hours through the state’s vibrancy reforms, regardless of whether we participate in a SEP trial,’ she said.
As it stands there has been no report to Council on the grant funding or the implementation and potential way the SEP would operate, funding opportunities, and no working group exists to inform the development of the Draft Precinct Plan, as Manly Council is doing.
Cr Ndiaye was clear that the SEP would bring benefits to the town and that it ‘offers an opportunity to improve safety, access to late-night services, and overall community wellbeing. There’s opportunities for artists and creatives to reignite the flair of town. Benefits can also include better lighting, transport, and support services – not just for venues, but for everyone moving through the precinct.’
However, it is unclear how any of these initiatives will be funded, with the mayor telling The Echo that, ‘We’re waiting on more details around how these initiatives will be funded, especially for non-venue spaces. The recent safety audit and ongoing community engagement will help guide priorities for investment and ensure funding is directed where it’s needed most.’
The mayor highlighted that Federal MP Justine Elliot had committed $1 million towards improving safety in Byron’s night-time precinct during the previous election. However, she made clear that while the Council can advocate for extra funding of emergency services such as police, and Byron Hospital Emergency Department, and NSW Ambulance the final decisions to increase funding are made by the respective agencies.
The SEP specifically encourages live music, and noise regulation will change under the SEP, making it harder for residents to complain and get action if they are impacted. At the October BSC meeting long-term local resident Janet Gay-Jordan raised concerns over the issue and later told The Echo that there is already plenty of live music in the town.
‘The SEP has been designed for business but not for the local area that adjoins the precinct. The loud, disturbing noise is already invading our homes, some of which are up to six blocks away. We hear the music clearly, even with all our doors and windows closed. Even more outdoor amplified music and techno-doof beat will ruin our health and affect our peace of mind and our local community in the future.’
While the SEP has the potential to bring funding and revitalisation to Byron Bay many locals are saying that there are so many unanswered questions in relation to funding, management, and impacts on the town. Questions have also been raised in relation to the large area (30ha) the SEP covers and the potential impacts on adjoining residential areas. They are saying that more work needs to be done, funding secured, a report to Council completed, and a working group established; without these in place they say the town is not ready to go ahead with the SEP in its current format.
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