NSW Government to fund tourism infrastructure projects in the Byron Shire

Recognising the impact of tourism on the Byron Shire, the NSW Government has announced details of $25 million worth of projects.

The funding is from the NSW Government’s Tourism Impacts Infrastructure Election Commitment which is providing two grants to help Byron Shire Council manage the impact of tourism.

One grant is for $5 million is to support projects that towns impacted by tourism have long wanted or needed. The other grant of $20 million is to help Council improve its road network.

Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson joined NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Energy and the Arts, Ben Franklin, to announce the projects being funded by the grants that will be rolled out over the next three years.

Franklin advised “the value of Byron Shire tourism to our state is substantial which is why I have strongly advocated that the Government provide a greater level of support in return.

Byron Shire Mayor Richardson thanked the State Government for the funding highlighting that “with more than 2.1 million visitors a year Council really struggles to provide the infrastructure for local residents and businesses as well as tourists.”

The $5 million grant to support tourism communities will provide:

• $2.05 million for the Sandhills Estate activation including a new skatepark and recreation precinct linking the Byron Bay Rec Grounds, Main Beach, Tennyson St, Massinger St and Byron St

• $1.57 million for completion of the Byron Bay to Suffolk Park cycle path

• $945,000 for the reconstruction and upgrade of South Arm carpark at Brunswick Heads

• $435,000 to improve public facilities at Byron Bay’s Main Beach.

The $20 million road fund will deliver:

$10.15 million of improvements for:

•  Kingsley St (Byron Bay)

• Carlyle St (Byron Bay)

• Lawson St (Byron Bay)

• Bayshore Drive (Byron Bay)

• Fern St (Mullumbimby)

• Stuart St (Mullumbimby)

• Tincogan St (Mullumbimby)

• Main Arm Rd (Mullumbimby – Main Arm)

• Old Bangalow Rd (Talofa)

$3.8 million for Shire-wide asphalt overlay program

$3.65 million for Shire-wide reseal program

$2.4 million for Shire-wide patching program

Image: The Byron Bay to Suffolk Park cycle path to receive $1.57 million in funding