Byron Shire Council emergency update – Saturday 8 March
Published on 08 March 2025
Trees, water and sewer were the focus for Council today (Saturday) after ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred crossed the coast.
The full extent of damage to our road network will not be known until next week until water in some parts of the Shire subsides.
The main areas of concern currently are the water and sewer networks which have been impacted by the power outages.
All networks are working but people are asked to conserve water. More information is below.
Water and sewer services
Careful use of water and sewer services remains essential as the impacts of severe weather continue to be felt around Byron Shire.
Residents are asked to flush toilets only as necessary as power outages continue to affect sewage treatment plants and pumping stations.
The “if it’s brown, flush it down, if it’s yellow, let it mellow” message continues to apply until full sewer services can be restored.
Council staff are rotating generators between pumping stations to maintain basic operations while waiting for electricity to be restored by Essential Energy.
Mullumbimby water watch
Mullumbimby residents are also urged to limit water use to essential drinking, cooking and hygiene.
The Mullumbimby water treatment plant remains unable to produce more drinking water due to poor raw water quality in Lavertys Gap Weir.
Tap water is safe to drink and current storage levels in Mullumbimby’s reservoirs are adequate, however careful use is important until water treatment can resume.
Mullumbimby residents are asked not to use water for external cleaning and hosing driveways at the moment.
Water supplies in other parts of Byron Shire are not affected, however residents should use water with care as demand is expected to increase as cleanup work gets underway.
Trees over roads or damage to roads, causeways etc
Council authorised the removal of three Norfolk pines at Byron Bay late Friday afternoon.
The sustained strong winds over much of the week had weakened the root systems of the trees and they were swaying dangerously.
Council engaged an independent arborist to assess the trees, and he found that the heaving of the root systems due to the movement of the trees in the wind was an indication they would fall down and that they were beyond saving.
The risk to public safety was too great and contractors felled the trees.
People can report trees and other road damage to Council this weekend by calling our after-hours emergency number - 02 6622 7022.
Staff will do their best to get to the problem as quickly as they can. This may take several days.
Belongil and Tallow Creeks
Both creeks are open and flowing to the ocean.
Waste
Kerbside waste collection (wheelie bins) will resume next week.
Those people who missed their collection this week can put all bins (red, yellow and green) out on their normal day next week.
The Byron Resource Recovery Centre is closed tomorrow (Sunday).
Beach Access and Coastal Erosion
All beach accesses managed by Byron Shire Council are closed.
There is significant erosion on some beaches.
For safety people should keep off the dunes and stay away from the eroded dune face.
Donations
People who want to help communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred to NOT DROP or SEND donations into impacted regions as unrequested donations can hamper recovery efforts.
Rather they should go to GIVIT.org.au to find out exactly what’s needed.
GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government to manage donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by disasters.
People can however register to help with the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre.
The MDNC is taking early volunteer registrations for food support, material aid, and counselling.
The MDNC is not currently taking registrations for clean-up activities.
Council facilities and offices
The following facilities remain closed:
- Byron Bay and Mullumbimby Pools
- Sports fields.
- Lone Goat Gallery
- Sandhills Early Childhood Centre (closed Monday 10 March)
- Council-managed halls
- Libraries at Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads.