#ByronStayHome – keep your distance this Easter

#ByronStayHome – keep your distance this Easter

Published on 09 April 2020

Keep your distance and stay away from the Byron Shire this Easter.

In line with the NSW Government’s orders, people are reminded that this Easter weekend is not the time to be going on a holiday or a day-trip to the Byron Shire.

Byron Shire’s Deputy Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, said people are allowed to leave their homes for essential travel only.

“This is a directive from BOTH the Australian and NSW Governments and it is pretty easy and clear -  going on a holiday is not essential travel,” Cr Ndiaye said.

“This means do not come to the Byron Shire – there will be time, when all this is over, to come and visit but at the moment we need to all be focused on getting a handle on COVID-19 and stopping the spread as much as we can.

“Byron Shire has recorded 14 positive cases so far, the highest in the Northern Rivers region, so we do have to work very hard at controlling this outbreak and you only have to see how quiet it is on the streets to see that our residents have taken up the challenge.

“What will be disappointing is if people decide the social distancing and essential travel rules do not apply to them this weekend and they should know that Police will be out, on the beaches and the streets.

“Our beaches can be used for swimming and exercise so I really hope people do the right thing, so they can remain open because we know how important this is for people’s physical and mental health.

“These appropriate measures are needed to respond to the challenges before us and if ever there was a time for everyone to work together it’s now,” Cr Ndiaye said.

Parking restrictions

Council, in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Police, has closed the following carparks:

Main Beach, Byron Bay Clarkes Beach, Byron Bay Captain Cook Lookout, Byron Bay The Pass, Byron Bay Seven Mile Beach Road, Broken Head Broken Head Reserve Road, Broken Head. Scarrabelottis Lookout

Parking restrictions have also been implemented at Brunswick Heads, east of the South Arm Bridge.

2hr parking from 5am – 7pm No parking from 7pm – 5am.

Council’s Enforcement team will be patrolling this area regularly to ensure people comply with the new time restrictions.

Illegal camping

Council staff and Police will be actively patrolling this weekend with a zero tolerance for illegal camping.

In line with the NSW Government’s Public Health Order caravan parks and camping grounds in the Byron Shire are closed with the following exemptions:

Permanent residents of the caravan park People working in the area Overnight travellers People who have no permanent place to live or whose primary place of residence is temporarily unavailable.

People will need to demonstrate they meet one of the NSW Government’s exemption criteria and fill out an Exceptional Travel Enquiry form.  These forms are available on caravan park websites.

Exceptional Travel Enquiry forms for Council’s First Sun and Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Parks are available at:

Strict checks will be undertaken to make sure people are complying with the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020.

Resource Recovery Centre

Council’s Resource Recovery Centre will be open to Byron Shire residents only from 8:30am – 11:30am this Saturday and Sunday for essential waste disposal.  Proof of residency will be needed and social distancing protocols will be in place.

For more information go to:

For media enquiries call Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.