Byron Bay night-precinct plan sparks fears of alcohol-fuelled violence
The NSW government announced in April that Byron Bay would be the first town outside of Sydney to trial a special entertainment precinct (SEP), as part of a strategy to boost its night-time economy.
The move would allow the local council to designate an area in the CBD where trading hours and sound conditions could be relaxed for hospitality venues, live music, and special events.
Enmore Road in Sydney became the first permanent SEP in December 2023, and other trials have started around the Chinatown Night Markets in Burwood and Fairfield.
But the plan has drawn strong criticism from some residents, with about 150 people attending a community meeting on Tuesday night to raise their concerns.
Among them was emergency medicine specialist Blake Eddington, who said extended nightlife trading could put lives at risk.
"Seeing teenagers and young people mindlessly assaulted, some of them with life-threatening conditions, that are completely preventable by drinking less alcohol and not having venues stay open until 3, 4, 5 o'clock in the morning."
Other medical professionals who spoke at the meeting said local health services, paramedics and police were at capacity, and not equipped to handle an increase in cases.
Some speakers at the meeting raised two recent incidents which had shaken the Byron Bay community, including a fight outside a busy cafe last week, and an assault in which a 25-year-old suffered serious head injuries after he was reportedly attacked in a car park by six young men.
Data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) showed there were 251 non-domestic-violence-related assaults in the Byron Shire in the 12 months to March — a ratio 1.6 times the statewide rate per 100,000 residents.
The BOCSAR website warns crime rates could appear distorted in areas with high visitor populations because the resident population is smaller than the total number of people in the area.
It also notes many assaults are not reported to police and are therefore not captured in BOCSAR data.
Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce president Matt Williamson said businesses were not necessarily looking to extend their late-night trading, but were keen to try initiatives that could boost the town's "vibrancy".
In April, Byron Shire Council received a grant of $162,800 to kickstart community consultation and begin planning the trial.
Mr Williamson said consultation so far had been lacking.
Concerns about alcohol-related violence prompted a community-led campaign in 2013 called Last Drinks at 12.
Byron resident Chris Hanley was part of that initiative, and told ABC North Coast Breakfast the same fears had surfaced again.
"Nothing will stop new operators and different people going into the future who do want to … open their venues to the wee small hours and disturb our community," he said.
"To have more culture and vibrancy in a town … is easy to do — get council out of the way.
"Get council to make it easy for businesses to have outside dining and street festivals."
In a statement, NSW Police — which had officers at the community meeting — said Tweed/Byron Police were working alongside government, council, and community stakeholders in ongoing discussions about the SEP.
The Byron Shire Council is set to hold information sessions for residents and businesses in August.
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