What sort of New Year’s Eve do you want?

Summer fun that is safe and reflects the cultural creativity of Byron Shire will be rolled out for New Year’s Eve 2013 and beyond.

To be part of the planning, Byron Shire Council needs community members for its Community Summer Safety and Cultural Activities Committee.

Mayor Simon Richardson said the purpose of the committee was to help with a ‘safety’ focused New Year’s Eve strategy and summer holiday period.

“After last New Year’s Eve which saw our residents disheartened with the lack of respect for Byron Bay, we need to change the celebration back to a relaxed and family friendly night.”

“We are a creative community with a very strong social consciousness and Council is aiming to bring the experience and ‘will’ of our residents to the table and help put together a solution,” he said.

To help with the festivities, Council last month reallocated just under $10,000 from the Schoolies budget to assist with New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The summer holiday period strategy will be based on community inclusive cultural activities and events in the Byron Shire and in line with Council’s recently adopted Safer Communities Compact.

Mayor Richardson said Council’s involvement with the successful Schoolies Safety Response Strategy will also see the lessons learnt from that event, applied across the peak holiday period.

Committee members will have established ties to the Byron Shire community, interest and/or professional experience in community safety and/or cultural activities or events, and previous experience on other committees or boards.

Meetings will be held bi-monthly. The term of appointment for committee members is twelve months and appointments are in a voluntary capacity.

The constitution and nomination form for the Committee is available on Council’s website at onhttp://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/expressions-of-interest.  For further information contact Joanne McMurtry, Community Policy Officer on 6626 7316

Submissions should be in writing and addressed to the General Manager, Byron Shire Council, PO Box 219 Mullumbimby 2482 or sent by email to council@byron.nsw.gov.au. 

Expressions of interest close:  Friday 17 May 2013, 4.30pm