Byron Bay to trial relaxed rules to boost ‘waning’ nightlife
Businesses in one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations hope an upcoming trial will reinvigorate the town’s nightlife.
Byron Bay will be the first town outside of Sydney to trial a special entertainment precinct (SEP) under a New South Wales government plan announced on Saturday to boost the night-time economy.
The precincts, known as SEPs, enable local councils to designate areas where trading hours and sound conditions can be relaxed to help drive successful hospitality venues, live music, performance and events.
Matt Williamson says the trial will enable CBD venues to build on the success of larger regional music events. (Supplied: John Graham)
Wirrun ‘Wizz’ Sky was one of the businesses pushing for the Byron CBD precinct, which will be encompass the Bay Street beachfront, Jonson Street, the rail corridor and Middleton and Browning Streets.
He said relaxing trading restrictions would help revive the town’s nightlife.
“Byron has become a global destination because of the vibe, energy, live music and the cultural scene, which has been waning over the last few years,” Mr Sky said.
“This opens the door for small businesses like mine to re-engage with the soul of Byron to bring that energy and cultural essence back to town.”
New possibilities
Byron Shire Chamber of Commerce president Matt Williamson said the precinct would open up possibilities for new events.
“[Business owners] can have events in laneways and put on little festivals that they have been wanting to for ages, but haven’t been able to, because of restrictions,” he said.
Mr Williamson said it was hoped the trial would enable more activities in the CBD off the back of major music festivals and other local events.
The Byron Shire Council will receive a kickstart state government grant of $162,800 for community consultation and to develop new opening hours and sound rules during the trial.
Sarah Ndiaye is pushing for the precinct to bring nightlife back into town after difficult years of COVID and floods. (Supplied: John Graham)
Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said she wanted to work with local businesses and the community to make the most of the trial, which was expected to start at the end of the year and run for 12-18 months.
“There’s a possibility here to get rid of some of the red tape and making sure that we’re facilitating the economy, rather than creating roadblocks,” she said.
State Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, said the Byron precinct trial aimed to make it easier for businesses and venues to “trade later and to bring music into the centre of Byron for businesses to be more viable”.
Trading red tape will be cut to allow Byron Bay venues to become more viable and rebuild the night-time economy to pre-COVID highs. (Facebook: Byron Schoolies Parties)
“It allows greater noise protections for venues, incentives to keep music playing, so extra trading for those venues that have music on their stages,” Mr Graham said.
Other SEP trials have started around the Chinatown Night Markets in Burwood and in Fairfield.
