The future of a long-running youth outreach program in Byron Bay will be decided when Byron Shire Council meets on 19 March, following an independent review that recommends moving away from the current model.
A new Council report prepared by Community Project Officer Malcolm Foard places the Street Cruise Program at the centre of broader discussions about how community safety initiatives should operate across the Shire.
Street Cruise, delivered by Byron Youth Service (BYS), has operated since 2001, with youth workers providing outreach support to young people in Byron Bay’s town centre on Friday nights. The program was originally created in response to historical community safety concerns affecting young people in the Bay.
Despite more than two decades of operation, and approximately $315,000 in Council funding, the report notes no formal review of outcomes or funding arrangements had previously been undertaken, making the independent assessment ‘timely’.
Strategic change
Council engaged consultancy Beacon Strategies in 2025 to evaluate the program’s impact, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
The consultants examined the program’s scope, stakeholder perceptions and future options, ultimately recommending Council consider alternatives rather than continuing the program unchanged.
The report states options to maintain or significantly expand the existing model were not recommended, with consultants instead advising council to explore new approaches to youth safety.
Issues identified during the review included operational risk, workplace health and safety considerations, and legislative compliance requirements. Awareness of the program among some businesses and service providers was also found to be limited.
Transitional funding
Staff recommended Council end the existing funding arrangement but provide transitional funding of up to $25,000 per year to BYS until June 2027 while a replacement youth safety initiative is developed.
Council officers will work collaboratively with the organisation to design an alternative program that ‘appropriately manages operational risk, Work Health and Safety, and legislative compliance.’
One proposal emerging from the review is the potential creation of a supervised ‘safe place’ where young people could gather on weekend nights instead of relying solely on street-based outreach.
The report notes BYS has accepted the key findings and expressed ‘strong interest to pursue the delivery of a mutually agreed, alternative youth program.’
Community safety
While the Street Cruise review forms the report’s main focus, councillors will also receive an update on community safety initiatives across the Shire following the discontinuation of the NSW government’s Safer Communities Compact program.
‘There is no longer a requirement for councils to have a specific standalone plan or compact document to access relevant funding,’ the report states.
Community safety initiatives are now embedded within Council’s broader planning framework and include public health programs, homelessness outreach, lighting upgrades, and support for major events such as Schoolies Week, which was described as ‘a safe and positive week… with no major incidents recorded.’
Councillors will consider the recommendations at the March ordinary meeting.
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