New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve Activities

The Byron Shire Council is committed to ensuring a safe community event for this year’s New Year's Eve in Byron Bay and has allocated funds to meet this outcome.

“With the success of previous years’ low key, community based, alcohol free, new year event, the same formula is planned for this year to ensure a safe community atmosphere for New Year’s Eve 2008.” said Mayor Jan Barham.

“Council has again determined that an alcohol prohibition [refer below] on the streets and parks in Byron Bay is essential  to ensure a safe environment. The  NYE event in Byron Bay will also feature market stalls commencing in the afternoon and the popular McGregor Amusements and then the Samba Blisstas performing at 8pm. The event aims to focus activities on the beachfront reserve, creating a community and family friendly atmosphere and minimise the impact on local businesses”.

“The low key formula of recent years has meant that restaurants and cafes are able to open and trade on the night and this also provides a lively feel to the town.  The streets and parks of Byron Bay have an alcohol prohibition for the 24 hour period to ensure a safe and community friendly atmosphere.  The market activity at the beachfront will feature food, craft and artisan stalls.  

Any stallholders not yet registered for the night can make an application via Council’s website. Community groups who would like to participate are invited to join in free of charge to showcase their work and activities.  I also encourage approved buskers to join in on the night and register with Council.   

“Licensed venues in Byron Bay will again provide exciting events but these are ticketed and size limited, so those wanting to celebrate the night will need to get in quick to ensure they get a ticket.  Some restaurants in town will also require bookings.”  said Cr Barham.

To ensure the safe management on the night there are street closures to the beach that will commence at 6am on Wednesday 31 December.  The closures will mean that no parking is available at the beachfront that day while preparations are organised. 

Blanch’s Bus Company will operate a bus shuttle from Suffolk Park and Sunrise Beach from 5pm for a cost of $3 each way. http://www.blanchs.com.au/

Enquiries: Cr Jan Barham 0407 296 137, council@byron.nsw.gov.au

Alcohol Restrictions Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads New Year's Eve

On New Year’s Eve the taking in or carrying of alcohol in certain public areas including public roads, footpaths, parks, car parks and beaches will be prohibited in both ByronBay and Brunswick Heads.

The prohibition is proposed for a period of 18 hours between 12 noon 31December 2008 to 6.00am 1 January 2009.

In ByronBay the designated street and car parking area is defined by Bay Street, including the First Sun Car Park, Fletcher, Marvel, Butler and Lawson Streets. 

In Brunswick Heads the alcohol prohibition area comprises part of a previously adopted “Alcohol Free Zone” and including Park Street, The Terrace and areas of Fawcett, Mullumbimbi and Fingal Streets.

The above restriction is provided in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1993 (Section 632).

The restriction of alcohol in ByronBay and Brunswick Heads during the New Year’s Eve period is part of a number of strategies developed by Council in association with the Byron Bay New Year’s Eve Safety Committee to ensure a safe event for all.

The alcohol restrictions are provided in an attempt to minimise the effects of alcohol related behaviour and to promote a low-key family friendly environment for locals and visitors alike.

Information regarding the proposal is available at Community Access Points around the Shire and on Council’s website.

Enquiries:

  • Mark Arnold
    • 02 6626 7155

New Year's Eve 2008 - Information for Stall Holders and Buskers

Location:      Apex Park, Bay Street, Byron Bay

Time:            3.00pm to 1.00am

Busking:

  1. Email your interest with details of your valid Council Busking Permit to:  cr.jan.barham@byron.nsw.gov.au
  2. Subject heading of email: NYE 2008 Busking
  3. Include:
    • Contact details: name, email, phone, address
    • Busking description
    • Preferred times of performance
    • Busking Permit details.

Stall Holders:

      Enquiries: Gabi 02 6680 7754

      OR

  1. Email your interest to cr.jan.barham@byron.nsw.gov.au.  Include details of your valid Food Stall Holder Permit if applicable.

  2. Subject heading of email: NYE 2008 Stall Holder

  3. Include:

How To: Get a Valid Busking Permit:

Audition - fee $19.50, book in advance ph. 6626 7107 Sue/Angie
Cost for permit:  $26/month or $96/year
Busking Policy:    www.byron.nsw.gov.au/policies/

How To:  Get a Valid Market/One Day Event Food Stall Holder Permit

Available at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/forms/

Costs: $25 to $115 depending on Category

Pay at Council (Mullumbimby) by 23/12/08 

For more information: ph. 6626 7054 Sheree

(NB: Council is closed from 25 December 2008 and reopens 5 January 2009)

Temporary Road Closure: New Year's Eve, Byron Bay

Under the provisions of Part 8 Division 2 Sec 116 of the Roads Act 1993, Council will consider the temporary road closures of the following streets on 31 December 2008 - 1 January 2009, for the purposes of New Years Eve celebrations in Byron Bay.

Roads temporarily closed from 6.00 am 31 December 2008 to 6.00 am 1 January 2009

  • Jonson Street, north of Lawson Street
  • Fletcher Street, north of Lawson Street
  • Bay Street, west of Jonson Street

Road temporarily closed from 3.00 pm 31 December 2008 to 6.00 am 1 January 2009

  • Middleton Street, north of Lawson Street

Submission:  Any person is entitled to make a submission with respect to the granting of consent to the temporary closures.  Written submissions should be addressed to the General Manager, Byron Shire Council, PO Box 219, Mullumbimby 2482 and endorsed ‘New Year’s Eve Byron Bay.

Enquiries are to be directed to Simon Bennett, Council’s Traffic and Transport Planner on 02 6626 7080.

Submissions Close: Wednesday 17 December 2008 12.00pm

Enquiries:

  • Simon Bennett
    • 02 6626 7080

Submissions will be made public in accordance with section 12 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Document Request) or the FOI Act 1989 (FOI Application) as applicable including both the substance of the objection and the identity of the objector unless the objector can demonstrate that Clause 4 of Schedule 1 of the FOI Act 1989 applies (documents affecting law enforcement and public safety). For assistance with this please call Tracey Dousling 02 6626 7113 or Mark Hildebrandt 02 6626 7114.