Special Entertainment Precinct in Byron Bay

Bay Lane Byron Bay at Night - Special Entertainment Precinct.jpg

We’re excited to be the first regional council to receive a $162,800 Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant from the NSW 24-hour Economy Commission.

The grant will help to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct trial in Byron Bay town centre.

What is a Special Entertainment Precinct?

A Special Entertainment Precinct is an area where trading hours and sound conditions are set in a precinct management plan. This then provides certainty for:

venues
neighbouring residents
businesses.

A Special Entertainment Precinct trial might include:

New maximum trading hours to support vibrancy for businesses within the precinct boundaries - including licensed and unlicensed venues.
Specific trading hours for hospitality venues that host live entertainment
Later outdoor dining
The ability for all main street businesses to host small-scale artistic and cultural events without the need for a Development Application.

Where will the Special Entertainment Precinct be?

The zone will be defined as a part of the project, within the area outlined below.

This spans from Apex and Dening Park at the foreshore, down to the end of Jonson St where it intersects the bypass roundabout, and spreads from railway park lands to Middleton Street.

Illustrated map of Special Entertainment Precinct.jpg

What does the process include?

The Kickstarter grant funding of $162,800 will support the:

planning and design of draft sound and compliance frameworks.
precinct management plan
Planning Proposal
Development Control Plan amendment
pre-trial consultation with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders
A trial phase of 12-18 months.

After the trial phase, any necessary changes will be made. A Precinct Management Group will continue to monitor its success and address any challenges.

How can I have my say?

Neighbouring residents will be contacted as the project progresses.

A Project Reference Group will be created to key input, including residents, businesses, venues and agencies.

Key material will be drafted, reported to Council and exhibited for community feedback. This includes a Precinct Management Plan and Planning Proposal to change some details of zoning.

Entertainment sound management

The grant will allow us to undertake an acoustic study and develop new controls to manage entertainment sound in the Byron Town Centre.

This will involve:

acoustic testing throughout the precinct
feedback from businesses and the community.

Entertainment sound in a Special Entertainment Precinct includes:

sound emissions from live or recorded music, entertainment and/or performance (both indoor and outdoor)
sound associated with patrons arriving and leaving venues
the sale and supply of liquor, provision of food/dining services
staff or patrons conversing and singing
set up, pack downs, rehearsals and sound checks.

It does not include any sound associated with other activities such as equipment, servicing, construction, waste disposal and collection, or mechanical ventilation.

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