Rural weddings and events – testing the balance

Published on 22 November 2018

Council is out again engaging with the community on weddings and events in rural areas. 

The beauty of the Byron Shire hinterland has seen a sustained popularity of rural weddings and this has, in some cases, resulted in noise, traffic and other problems in areas that are traditionally quiet and peaceful.

Council acknowledges there are differing views on the wedding and event industry depending on whether you are a neighbour and or a operator. 

It is nonetheless an important part of the Byron Shire’s economy and we need to get the balance right.

Earlier this year Council held a number of workshops to get feedback, information and opinions from the community about Council’s plan to amend its Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to allow a limited number of properties to operate as function centres in rural parts of the Shire.

Planner, Rob van Iersel said feedback from the workshops was quite detailed, with many differing views on the matter captured by staff.

“Staff have now taken all the information into account and drafted a clause to be inserted into the LEP that is designed to find a balance between residents’ amenity and lifestyle and the rural weddings and events industry,” Mr van Iersel said.

“This clause will see controls around things like site suitability, acoustic assessments and traffic management and this may mean that not all properties currently operating will be able to continue,” he said.

“Any change to the Byron LEP has to be made by the NSW Government and before we do this, Council wants to make sure that the controls drafted will efficiently and realistically lead to the desired outcomes.

“Council is hosting workshops to assist our community to not only know what we are proposing but help us test and refine the controls” Mr van Iersel said.

For more information contact Jamie van Iersel, Planner, on 6626 7283 or [email protected].

Workshops will be held on:

To register for a workshop go to yoursaybyronshire.com.au/functioncentres or contact Jamie van Iersel, Planner, on 6626 7283 or [email protected].