SEP Update

Special Entertainment Precinct

Where are we now?

That’s a good question. If you live in the 2481 postcode and have missed the less than perfect roll out of the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Trial—find the details here.

WHAT THE COMMUNITY DID NEXT

The public announcement of the SEP Trial in April was made without community consultation and came with an initial time-frame indicating a trial would begin in December 2025. Not surprisingly, concerned local residents and business owners decided to inform themselves and came together organically—hosting an information meeting at the Byron Bay Community Centre in late July.

In late August, Council commenced a series of information sessions with Locale Consultants which also included focus groups, and an online survey. Depending on how one feels about a SEP Trial in Byron Bay, many participants felt the questionnaire was framed from a predominantly pro-SEP position. This raised genuine concerns within the community that the implementation of a SEP was already a foregone conclusion…

GENUINE CONCERNS

Perhaps if the Council had consulted prior to applying for the SEP grant, some of the community’s frustration and genuine concerns may have been addressed and alleviated. Engaging early would have allowed these issues to be considered before rolling it out to the wider community in its current format.

NOW ITS NOVEMBER

Right now, Councillors should have been delivered a substantial report collating the findings of the consultation process. The Byron Shire Council website outlines a series of “Phases,” but provides no actual dates to indicate which phase we’re currently in. Naturally, the community would appreciate some interim updates and for the consultations findings to be shared widely with the general public :)

COMMUNITY ACTION + MEETING ?

A series of ads in The Echo have supported a NO SEP position along with Questions on Notice to Council highlighting various aspects of the SEP as well as letters to The Echo and articles examining the issue. A community meeting had been planned for early November, however, this has been delayed due to ongoing consultations with various stakeholders as new information has come to light. Whilst some people from the original working group are hopeful that engagement with Council and the State Government could lead to a windfall of funding for essential infrastructure for Byron Bay. Others in the group remain skeptical and await the Councils and Councillors response to the report. ***

Over the past few months we have asked Questions to Council:

Has council finalised the audit of all licensed venues with the Development Consent details and licensing approvals in the proposed SEP area? If so, when will it be released?

Response Director Sustainable Environment and Economy:
All feedback received during the recent community engagement and stakeholder consultation on the proposed Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) is currently being reviewed by Council staff. This feedback is being compiled into a comprehensive staff report for presentation at the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled for 27 November.

FOR MORE INFO ON QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL GO HERE: