Byron Shire Council

Economic and Business Information

A library of information that may be of interest to local business is under continuous development.  The following may be of interest:

Council-generated information

• Losing Family:  This issue paper, prepared in September 2007, analyses population trends, particularly in relation to income and housing costs.
• Businesses in Byron Shire – a Statistical Profile:  derived from ABS and ATO information this paper provides a breakdown of business by industry, employment and income.
• Industrial Land in Byron Shire – prepared in October 2007, this paper summarises the state of industrial lands in the Shire.  Additional information about industrial lands is available by navigating through this website.

What’s coming?

• Business and employment impact of Byron Shire tourism – this paper will apply elements of the Commonwealth’s Tourism Impact Model.
• Council has engaged the Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre to undertake a Tourism Management Plan. The final report will provide a range of more detailed data about tourist volume, accommodations and tourism-related businesses.  A report is expected in March/April 2008.

From non-council sources

• Forecast 2008 Issue 1 examines the prospects for tourism in the medium to long term.  The document was by Tourism Research Australia [link as per link in second item]. 
• Travel by Australians - published in December 2007 by Tourism Research Australia this document summarises the quarterly National Visitor Survey providing data for the period ending September 2007. Of interest, Byron Shire is located between the two top regional destinations for overnight domestic traveller expenditure - i.e. the Sunshine Coast $1.7 billion and the North Coast $1.6 billion.
• Cafes and Restaurants Australia – released by ABS in 2005, this paper analyses income, expenditure and employment in the sector.
• Accommodation Services – released by the ABS in 2005, this paper analyses income, expenditure and employment in the sector
• Australian economic indicators January 2006 – this ABS report contains a feature article profiling the tourism industry in Australia
• Tourism statistics are available from the Tourism New South Wales website.  In particular look under "Facts and Figures" for "Regional Tourism Statistics" and the “Travel to Northern Rivers NSW” quarterly reports.