Thanks for your ongoing support for this important community campaign. The proposed SEP has an extensive list of negative impacts on our community and the visitors that love to come to visit for its natural beauty, beaches, hinterland and relaxed vibe.
But only this week, Mayor Sarah Ndiaye was interviewed and said “I can’t see any negatives”. She was on Facebook / Byron Bay Community Board promoting the SEP and all the "great things" that might come with it. In her video along with promoting the positives, sadly she stated, “I can’t see any negatives”. Listen to the video for yourself on the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/zali.spinner.1/videos/2231265157392035?idorvanity=470238886340815
Please take the time to leave a comment on FB as the decision makers in Council continue to skew the discussion towards a SEP trial approval and still don’t get it. Please take the opportunity to send a strong message.
On a positive note, I have gained direct advice from one Councilor that due to the significant community concerns being heard by Council, its highly likley that the SEP will not proceed. Although this is heartening, we must maintain pressure on Council and STATE Govt funders and decision makers to ensure our voice continues to be heard right up til the day Council votes on a trial SEP.
The petition will run for the next 5-6 weeks so please continue to share the link with friends, family and colleagues and encourage like-minded community members and visitors to sign and support our petition. We are still hearing “we did not know about the petition”. We are closing in on 500 signatures fast.
I am speaking with Dr Blake Eddington today about the Byron Hospital concerns regarding the greater pressures the SEP will bring upon an already stretched Emergency Department and first responders if more venues are to serve alcohol after 12am as proposed in the SEP.
Blake and Chris Handley worked tirelessly in 2013/2014 running the “Last drinks at 12” campaign which was successful in limiting late night venues serving alcohol after 12am. Let’s not let the genie out of the bottle again and undo the great work done over 10 years ago now. Yes venues do sell alcohol now after 12am we hear the SEP supporters say, but we do not need any more. We have more than enough issues we can't manage now. Links below to the 2013 info and stories at the time if you are interested.
Dr Blake Eddington Emergency Physician at Byron Hospital helped with the campaign from a medical perspective;
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/submissions/43770/0053%20Last%20Drinks%20at%2012.pdf
ABC News (26 Aug 2013):
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-26/byron-bay-considers-ban-on-alcohol-sales-after-midnight/4915248
Byron Shire Echo (Aug 2013):
https://www.echo.net.au/2013/08/mayor-ignoring-crime-stats/
https://www.echo.net.au/2013/11/precinct-liquor-accord-needed-now/
Yesterday I distributed a Media info pack to various mainstream media outlets and hope to get the SEP issues and our petition out to more community members and visitors…watch this space. Although the Council’s survey ends TODAY for comments (link below), our petition will stay live up until just before the decision is taken. Council will receive a copy in the week leading up to the decision.
Our message is clear and simple; NO SEP and real STATE funding now to fix current issues in town. The community and the visitors who love Byron don’t want more venues serving alcohol after 12am.
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Thanks again for all the great support, stay strong, positive and safe.
Cheers, Anthony 0411269755