Lawson Street reopens ahead of schedule

LOCAL businesses are celebrating the reopening of a busy section of Lawson Street in Byron Bay, which has been closed since September.

Byron Shire Council completed the upgrade to stormwater drainage in the section between Fletcher Street and Middleton Street ahead of schedule.

The works, which will help prevent the road flooding in the future, included reconstructing the road, renewing the water supply, a major upgrade of the drainage system and other improvements.

Council’s manager of assets and major projects Christopher Soulsby thanked business owners and road users for their patience while they completed the work, and encouraged people to support the businesses by doing their Christmas shopping in the area.

Byron Chamber of Commerce president Matt Williamson said many local businesses along the road had reported a downturn while the work took place, and there had been a flow-on effect to other nearby businesses.

“It has affected their businesses significantly,” he said. “But the works that were undertaken were absolutely essential. We’re so happy that they have gone to plan, the street is back open, and those business owners are ready to capture the summer trade.”

Locals and Byron Bay visitors alike were shocked to see footage of shops in the popular tourist town underwater during the 2022 floods, which decimated much of the Northern Rivers region.

The Lawson Street upgrade was funded by the federal and NSW governments’ Infrastructure Betterment Fund.

Construction of the next stage of the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade is due to start in the Town Centre in early to mid-2025.