SEP VOTE
“The SEP is not a done deal. The current proposal will go on public exhibition in February, with Councillors voting whether to proceed (with a SEP Trial) in March or April.”
Councillors Vote 5—4 to Advance SEP Trial
Despite Strong Community Opposition
Byron Shire Councillors have voted 5–4 to progress the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Trial to public exhibition. The debate was tense, reflecting how Councillors were divided on this issue.
There is acknowledgement that community support for the SEP, as currently presented, is overwhelmingly lacking. Two Councillors — Elia Hauge and Michael Lyon — noted that not a single resident had contacted them in support of the proposal throughout this process.
👊 Respect to the Councillors who voted to pause the process — Delta Kay, Michael Lyon, Elia Hauge, and David Warth — for listening to the community’s concerns. They recognised the significant gaps in infrastructure, the absence of key management plans, and the clear message from community consultation that Byron is not ready for a SEP in its current form.
👎 Those in favour to proceed to the next stage did so largely out of concern that Byron might miss out on future funding opportunities. But this raises important questions:
Is the promise of potential NTE (Night-Time Economy) funding being prioritised over genuine community engagement, long-term planning, and addressing the town’s existing problems? Will a SEP actually solve any of the issues Byron is facing right now?
Mayor Sarah Ndiaye and Councillor Janet Swain also appeared notably proud of the fact that Byron Bay has no tourism plan despite being a major destination. This attitude reflects a concerning disconnect from the realities on the ground. Without strategic planning or clear objectives, the town continues to struggle with unmanaged growth, infrastructure strain, and declining amenity. This lack of engagement with what the SEP would actually deliver — and what it would fail to address — underscores why Byron is experiencing many of the challenges now coming to the surface.
Ultimately, the decision was made to push ahead with the SEP — mostly as outlined in the report — aside from a small reduction in precinct size. The plan will now go on public exhibition.
⌛️ Councillor Jack Dods urged the community to trust the process, stating that if the next round of consultation again shows a lack of community support, Council will not proceed.
We look forward to seeing Byron’s creative, passionate, and deeply engaged community respond once more. Your voice matters — and this next phase will be crucial.