Council joins praise for Easter rebound

BYRON Shire Council has joined a growing chorus of support for the region’s Easter weekend, backing the local response after the cancellation of Bluesfest Byron Bay.

The comments come after packed venues, surprise performances and strong trade across the long weekend, as artists and organisers shifted to pubs, clubs and community spaces across Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and surrounding areas.

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said the shire had rallied after the festival was called off in mid-March.

“Because I was out and about, I knew that venues were full, the music was great and people were having a great time and my conversations with businesses, police and other stakeholders last week confirmed this,” she said.

 

Council said the shift to a venue based program delivered sell out shows and broader economic benefits, with more businesses sharing in the Easter trade.

“The result was spectacular with sell-out shows, happy patrons, and even happier businesses who would not normally have benefitted from Bluesfest patrons,” Ndiaye said.

Free buses funded by the New South Wales Government were introduced at short notice, with more than 1,000 people using the service across the weekend.

Council said the uptake would support discussions about ongoing public transport during peak holiday periods.

“This has shown the NSW Government that there is an appetite for this type of public transport during holiday periods,” Ndiaye said.

 

Council will now meet with venues, police, transport operators and tourism groups to review the weekend and consider options for future Easter programming.

“Now that we know that Easter in the Byron Shire is more than Bluesfest, I can only imagine what we can do with time and I can’t wait,” she said.