Feedback closed Tuesday 5 November 2024.
We have developed a Draft Events Strategy to support the running of small to medium events in our Shire.
The Draft Strategy:
- Outlines the kinds of events that will bring the most economic, social, and environmental benefit to Byron Shire, both now and in the future.
- Identifies the resources and actions needed to make these events successful.
- Provides Council with a plan to help decide which events to support, use Council resources wisely, and make local events more sustainable.
We recently asked for your feedback on the Draft Byron Shire Events Strategy(PDF, 5MB)
Feedback closed Tuesday 5 November 2024.
We received 21 submissions covering the following key themes:
- Positive support for the strategy, particularly on the thorough research and development, improvement in the events sector with its implementation, focus on homegrown events and a triple bottom line approach.
- Specific suggestions which will be considered when finalising the actions and during their detailed project planning.
- Accessibility and inclusion the need to broaden inclusivity, diversity and equity. Positive support was received on various proposed elements and actions.
- Event size definitions should be reconsidered with a focus on reducing the range and encouraging smaller events and festivals.
- Infrastructure concerns were raised in relation to transport to and from events, parking challenges and local infrastructure strained by festivals and events.
All feedback was reported to Council on 10 April 2025 when a redirection was supported to act on community feedback for clearer integration with a more comprehensive and aspirational strategy.
We’re now working toward finalisation as an Events Sector Action Plan. This is aligned with the Vibrant Economy Strategy: an overarching economic development strategy with multiple sub action plans focusing on the visitor economy, business and industry, the events sector and night-time economy.
You can learn more by reviewing Report 13.4 to 10 April 2025 Council Planning Meeting and the attached Post Exhibition Overview.
Process to develop the draft Strategy
We held workshops and interviewed:
- Event organisers
- Venue managers
- Tourism and community representatives
- State tourism bodies
We asked them:
- What types of events are the right fit for Byron Shire?
- What role do they want Council to play in events?
- What they want events to deliver for the Shire?
The Byron Shire Events Findings Paper(PDF, 2MB) captured these conversations.
We then checked back in with the industry and community for feedback, to ensure we were on the right track to develop the Draft Events Strategy.
See the project timeline for more information.