The Byron Shire community is split on its support for the proposed Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in Byron Bay with many people highlighting the lack of financial commitment from the state government to meet increased community safety and transport needs, which they argue will be caused by any SEP because it will allow extended opening hours for licensed venues.
Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye (Greens), has said a comprehensive report will go to councillors at the 27 November Council meeting following feedback from the community that involved public consultation, drop-in and information sessions, and focus groups with licensed and unlicensed venues, accommodation providers, the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan Group, and others.
‘If Council endorses proceeding to the next stage, the proposal will be sent to the state government for approval to publicly exhibit. Should it progress, community feedback will again be sought in early 2026 before Council decides whether to proceed with a 12-month trial, expected to begin mid-2026,’ Cr Ndiaye told The Echo.
Byron Council voted to proceed with the SEP proposal in February 2025, but Cr Ndiaye says Council are still seeking clarity around whether any SEP could exclude extended opening hours for licensed venues.
Other members of the community say that the extended hours flow from recent changes to the Liquor Act (under the 24-hour economy vibrancy legislation) which extends opening hours for licensed venues by two hours, with an additional hour if you are in a SEP.
Safety concerns
Regarding transport options, the mayor is touting the revival of the Byron Youth Service Bus, extended operating hours of existing bus services, and greater use of mini-bus services. However, critics point to the high risk of late-night travel on the region’s inadequate roads.
‘A model I believe could be of enormous benefit in our region is the B-ConX On-Demand Service currently operating in the Northern Rivers,’ Cr Ndiaye told The Echo.
‘I have had several discussions with Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, about the potential for expanding similar on-demand services to better serve Byron and surrounding areas.’
Anthony Stante, who sits on Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Committee (TIAC) said, ‘Our mayor just does not comprehend how dangerous our outer hinterland roads are at night. A few buses as a solution will not pass the ‘pub’ test, and will not pass the ‘duty of care’ test. Two to three extra buses funded by the state cannot service outlying areas like Goonengerry, Upper Wilsons Creek, etc.’
‘By all means, find the buses they are suggesting to try to fix the mess we already have, but don’t encourage more venues open after 12am and exacerbate the road safety issues for young adults and other adults trying to get home safely to outer hinterland locations at 2/3/4am as they CAN NOT be serviced by 2-3 extra buses,’ he told The Echo.
President of the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce (BBCC), Matt Williamson said that the SEP has ‘always been something that we can bend and mould to our purposes for our town. The clarity around that will come out, I think, shortly, and then our challenge is to understand what we want for our town, and how to enshrine that in any SEP.’
One of the key challenges that has been raised is the lack of a tourism, visitor and destination management plan, a night time economy strategy, and a cultural and events strategy or plan.
Sarah Anderson from Destination Byron told The Echo that, ‘Destination Byron supports the SEP in principle but wants to see Council’s plan for management’.
‘We support policies that benefit our local arts and creative industries and we see the potential of the SEP if it’s well-managed.’
‘We can’t have large venues being the ones to benefit exclusively, we need a coordinated, proactive approach that will see the vibrancy of our local community showcased, our musicians and artists, and small businesses must be supported in any SEP plan.
‘We await more detail from Council on how the SEP will be managed and what will be prioritised in their upcoming visitor economy strategy,’ she said.
Key issues not addressed
Key issues remain to be resolved around funding for improvements to lighting, transport, and security, as well as the resourcing of the police and health services to ensure the town and residents receive positive outcomes.
As one local put it recently: ‘The town’s not ready – let’s get the town ready and then consider the SEP when we are ready’.
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