Dear supporters,
Thank you again for standing firm on the position of no additional alcohol trading in the Byron CBD after 12am. Despite assurances from some Councillors like Cr Asren Pugh, there remains a significant and unresolved risk that if a SEP is adopted, it may still enable extended trading hours due to the convoluted, overlapping and complex nature of the governing State legislation. This uncertainty alone is a risk our community should not be asked to carry.

There continues to be no clear advice regarding whether venues within an SEP area can apply for extended trading hours under the various State and Local Government frameworks. These issues have not been satisfactorily clarified in the information provided to Councillors.

As highlighted in my previous update, substantial concerns remain with the current SEP reports—particularly around late-night safety, security, the risk of increased alcohol-related violence, and the absence of clear and viable transport solutions to support any additional late-night activity. Introducing a SEP trial before addressing or funding and fixing a range of significant existing issues is not consistent with Council’s duty of care obligations to the community.

It’s suggested that Councillors are siding towards kicking the SEP can down the road and putting these Council reports on public display for another round of community consultation. Our community is concerned the next round of community consultation will be another tick and flick exercise and when it comes to a vote on a trial SEP in say early March 2026, the trail will just happen despite our petition clearly showing more than 80% of our community and visitors who love our town don’t want the SEP to happen.

In response to these concerns, an Alternative Motion has now been formally submitted for consideration at the 27 November 2025 Council meeting. This motion proposes a sensible, staged and responsible planning pathway for Byron Bay that focuses on practical improvements and genuine community safety—rather than progressing a SEP model that is ill-timed, unclear, untested and high-risk for a small coastal town like ours. Byron is not Sydney, and our planning approach should reflect that.

Motion Presented to Councillors (27 November 2025)
1. Not proceed with public exhibition of the SEP draft documents and instead urgently progress plans for Byron Bay that include:
a)    A Town Upgrade Plan that includes revitalisation of the public spaces (landscaping, lighting, seating, toilets etc), as per Masterplan Priority 7.5 Byron Bay Facilities Asset Management Plan.
b)    A Destination Management Plan to define key priorities such as identity, branding, and target visitor markets.
c)    A Safety Audit and Safety Improvement Plan to address key issues for improved safety for locals and visitors and produce a prioritised works program.
d)    A Transport Options Plan that considers much-needed enhanced transport and parking options, including out-of-town parking (Cavanbah) and a shuttle bus service.
e)    A Cultural Activation Plan and a curated events calendar to enhance cultural vitality, including guidance on how Cultural SEPP exemptions from consent will operate in the town.

2. Seek funding and technical support from the State or Federal Government for:
a)    Developing and implementing the plans listed above.
b)    Delivering enhanced transport options.
c)    Increased funding for State emergency services, including hospital and police services.
d)    Advice on the Crime Prevention funding application, including recommended works and projects.

3. Identify if funds held in Reserve in the 2025 Budget, under the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan Reserve ($690,029), are available to fund Part 1a) – Town Upgrade Plan.

4. Establish a Byron Bay Working Group to provide a collaborative approach to progressing the priorities identified in Part 1, including representatives from:
a)    First Nations community
b)    Byron Bay Masterplan Group
c)    Local business
d)    Community members
e)    Councillors
f)    State agencies including Police and Health

Call for Community Support
Your presence at this meeting is important. Your petition has been shared with Council this week. Your support for the petition shows you care about safety, security, sensible planning, clarity around alcohol trading rules, and a positive long-term vision for our town, so please attend and show this support for a better approach in person if you can. 

Thursday, 27 November 2025
3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Byron Shire Council
70 Station Street, Mullumbimby NSW 2482

Three of our Community leaders will speak against the SEP at the start of the meeting when public access speech is invited. Even attending for part of the meeting helps demonstrate that our community expects a clear, safe and well-considered planning pathway for Byron Bay – not uncertainty around late-night trading hours or a model that has not been tailored to our town’s unique needs.