In April 2007, Council engaged the Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre (ARTRC) at Southern Cross University to prepare a Tourism Management Plan. A Steering Committee was formed to oversee the project. A draft Tourism Management Plan was considered by Council at its meeting of 28 August 2008. Council resolved to place the document on public exhibition. Subsequent submissions were considered by Council and the draft Tourism Management Plan was updated to include amendments resolved by Council on 9 April 2009 (Resolution 09-2007).
The draft plan was placed on re-exhibition between Thursday 28 May 2009 and Monday 27 July 2009 and public submissions were received.
On the 10 September 2009 Byron Shire Council adopted (Resolution 09-756) the Tourism Management Plan.