NSW · Northern Rivers · Local council, made simple
Byron Shire Council
A coastal Northern Rivers council of around 37,800 residents — but home to Byron Bay, one of Australia's most famous tourist towns, plus Mullumbimby (the council seat), Bangalow, Brunswick Heads and Ocean Shores. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water, beaches, parks, planning — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Byron Shire Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Invest in Us
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Policies on Public Exhibition
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Byron Shire's Financial Future
Have your say →
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 5.0%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyByron's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
3 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Sarah Ndiaye (Greens)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6626 7000
Open →Shire profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~37,800 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
30 updatesAuto-collected from Byron Shire Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Night work on Mullumbimby Road this Monday 14 September
Published on 11 September 2026 Council will be doing night work on Mullumbimby Road between Manns Road and the Argyle Street roundabout this Monday, 14 September. Crews will be on site from around 5:30pm and will work through until 6am.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Bird flu – what you need to know
Published on 11 September 2026 While there are a number of H5 bird flu detections in NSW, including one in Coffs Harbour, no cases have so far been found in the Byron Shire. People are asked to keep an eye out for sick or dead birds and to report any suspected cases immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Fletcher & Byron St intersection closure for Byron Drainage Upgrade
Published on 07 September 2026 Works on the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade – Town Centre Catchment Stage 1 are nearing completion, with the intersection at Fletcher Street and Byron Street expected to close from mid-September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Get your free ticket to see 'The Plastic Country'
Published on 03 September 2026 Byron Shire Council is offering free tickets to 'The Plastic Country', a documentary on the nation’s plastic problem and its impact on the environment, wildlife and human health. 'The Plastic Country' will screen at the Brunswick Heads Picture House on Wednesday 9 September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Aspirations of Arakwal People formalised in Statement of Commitment
Published on 04 September 2026 Walgun Cape Byron was an impressive backdrop to the formalisation of a partnership between the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal People (Arakwal) and Byron Shire Council today.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Byron Farmers Market kicking goals in the Move to Reuse
Published on 10 September 2026 The Byron Farmers Market’s early adoption of Council’s Move to Reuse initiative and mobile dishwashing trailer has delivered outstanding results, with an estimated 100,000 reusable dishes washed over the past 12 months, and landfill waste reduced from eight red wheelie bins per week to just half a bin.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
The Pocket Road closed for two months for culvert repair
Published on 09 September 2026 A culvert repair will begin later this month, and properties west of 879 The Pocket Road will need to detour via Main Arm Road for around two months (weather permitting). The culvert is in poor condition, and concerns about its structural integrity have led to multiple road closures this year during heavy rainfall events.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
$57k awarded to 18 community projects across Byron Shire
Published on 03 September 2026 18 organisations will share in more than $57,000 through Byron Shire Council's Community Initiatives Program for 2026/27, supporting an exciting and diverse range of local projects.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Addition to the Plan of Management for Community Facilities
Learn more Last updated: 5 Aug 2026 Addition to the Plan of Management for Community Facilities Feedback on the proposal to add the former Station Masters Cottage building in Byron Bay to the Plan of Management for Community Facilities, is now closed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Policy
Sparkling new amenities for swimmers at Byron Bay pool this summer
Published on 09 September 2026 When swimmers return to the Byron Bay Memorial Pool in mid-September they’ll see some major changes. Stage one of the upgrade of the pool is finished, featuring a relocated entrance and kiosk as well as a new accessible amenities block.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
EoI for a new car share provider in the Byron Shire is now open
Published on 09 September 2026 Byron Shire Council is looking for Expressions of Interest (EoI) from car share providers who are interested in making vehicles available for very short-term rental. Council has been supporting a car share service since 2019.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Help shape a safer Byron Bay
Learn more Help shape a safer Byron Bay Join us for a walk through Byron Bay Town Centre and share your experience.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Have your say on the Byron Foreshore playspaces
Learn more Have your say on the Byron Foreshore playspaces We've developed Concept Designs for Apex Park and Dening Park Playspaces. Take a look and tell us what you think.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Policy
Economic Action Plans
Learn more Last updated: 7 Sept 2026 Economic Action Plans Feedback has now closed. Updated plans will be reported to Council in October 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Byron Shire's Financial Future
Learn more Byron Shire's Financial Future Understand what a potential Special Rate Variation could mean for you and your community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Development
Report non-urgent issues online
Report non-urgent issues online
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Byron Shire Council — DA Tracker
- Policy
Help inform the Draft Agriculture Action Plan
Learn more Last updated: 31 Aug 2026 Help inform the Draft Agriculture Action Plan Feedback has now closed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Policies on Public Exhibition
Learn more Policies on Public Exhibition Find out what policies may be on public exhibition.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Draft Bangalow Flood Study
Learn more Last updated: 11 Sept 2026 Draft Bangalow Flood Study Feedback on the Draft Bangalow Flood Study has now closed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Invest in Us
Learn more Invest in Us Invest in Us – join the campaign to restore Commonwealth funding to Councils
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Have your say on the Developer Contributions Plan
Learn more Last updated: 2 June 2026 Have your say on the Developer Contributions Plan Feedback on the Draft Developer Contributions Plan has now closed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
Draft DCP for the Former Mullumbimby Hospital Site
Learn more Last updated: 1 June 2026 Draft DCP for the Former Mullumbimby Hospital Site Feedback on the Draft Development Control Plan chapter for the Mullumbimby Hospital Site is now closed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Development
Make a Submission on a DA
Make a Submission on a DA
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Byron Shire Council — DA Tracker
- Development
terms and conditions of the site
terms and conditions of the site
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Byron Shire Council — DA Tracker
- Policy
Planning for the Gulgan Village
Learn more Planning for the Gulgan Village An amended draft Voluntary Planning Agreement is on public exhibition until 21 September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Development
All-electric developments
Learn more Last updated: 18 June 2026 All-electric developments Feedback has now closed.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Policy
Playspace Action Plan
Learn more Last updated: 6 July 2026 Playspace Action Plan The Playspace Action Plan has been adopted. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Have your say
New floodplain risk management studies open for community input
The council is developing new Floodplain Risk Management Studies and Plans (including for the Belongil and Tallow Creek catchments) via its Your Say Byron Shire platform, with reports scheduled to go to Council in late 2026.
What this means for you: Flood studies feed into future development controls and mitigation works, so they can affect what can be built where. Residents can follow the studies and make submissions through Your Say Byron Shire.
Source: Your Say Byron Shire
- Council meeting
Councillor Jack Dods elected Deputy Mayor
Byron councillors elected Cr Jack Dods as Deputy Mayor of Byron Shire Council. Sarah Ndiaye (elected Mayor directly by voters in 2024) continues as Mayor.
What this means for you: The Deputy Mayor stands in for the Mayor when needed. Byron councillors choose the Deputy Mayor from among themselves for a set term.
- Policy
60-day cap on non-hosted short-term holiday letting takes effect
New planning rules capping non-hosted short-term rental accommodation at 60 days per year across most of Byron Shire took effect on 23 September 2024, with a transition period for registered properties. Two mapped precincts in parts of Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads keep 365-day letting; hosted stays are unaffected.
What this means for you: If you let a whole dwelling on platforms like Airbnb or Stayz outside the mapped precincts, it can generally be booked for at most 60 nights a year. The council's aim is to return more homes to long-term rental.
Source: Byron Shire Council — Short-Term Rental Accommodation
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Byron Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.