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.
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
3 updatesRecent items from Byron Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- 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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