Byron Shire Council emergency update – Thursday 6 March
Published on 06 March 2025
Following is an update on Byron Shire Council operations relating to Cyclone Alfred.
Council is responsible for roads, infrastructure such as bridges and causeways, water and sewer and waste.
Council’s teams are continuing to work on 24-hour rosters, responding to emergencies as they come up.
They are getting to things such as fallen trees and road damage as fast as they can, keeping in mind the conditions and their safety.
They will continue to work around the clock for as long as needed.
Waste collection services are cancelled until next week and the Resource Recovery Centre at Myocum is closed.
To keep up to date with Council information follow us on Facebook and check our website regularly. The Facebook page will not be monitored overnight.
Trees over roads or damage to roads, causeways etc
Call Council during business hours (8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday) – 02 6626 7000 or after hours for emergencies – 02 6622 7022.
Staff will do their best to get to the problem as quickly as they can or when it is safe to do so. This may take several days.
Belongil and Tallow Creeks
The entrances to Belongil and Tallow Creek entrances are closed and this is causing an additional flood risk for Byron Bay and Suffolk Park.
The storm surges have pushed sand into the mouth of both creeks blocking their entrances.
This is a problem because the current cyclonic conditions and force of the ocean, is making it hard for the creeks to open naturally and remain open - alleviating some of the inundation and flood risks.
The size of the swell and force of the ocean also mean that Council manually opening the entrances using machinery will not work – they will rapidly silt up with sand and naturally close again.
What we’re now faced with is a no-win situation where lots of rain is needed to enable the creeks to push back against the ocean to be able to open naturally.
And a lot of rain is unfortunately likely to result in the over-topping of these creeks causing inundation and flooding to low-lying properties.
We are monitoring both creeks very closely and as soon as we can do anything that will have a positive impact on release of water, we will be mobilising.
Please factor this new information about the closure of Belongil and Tallow Creek ICOLLs, and the likelihood of flood impacts on low-lying areas of Byron Bay and Suffolk Park into your preparations today, closely monitor conditions and heed the advice of and warnings of the SES.
Waste
There is no kerbside waste collection (wheelie bins) until next week.
Those people who missed their collection this week can put all bins (red, yellow and green) out on their normal day next week.
Byron Resource Recovery Centre is closed Friday and Saturday.
Beach Access and Coastal Erosion
All beach accesses managed by Byron Shire Council are closed.
Libraries
All library branches across the region including Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, and the Mobile Library, are closed until further notice.
Council facilities and offices
The following facilities are closed:
- Council offices are closed to the public on Friday. Staff are still working and are available on the phone or email.
- Byron Bay and Mullumbimby Pools
- Sports fields.
- Lone Goat Gallery
- Sandhills Early Childhood Centre
- Council-managed halls (to Sunday 9 March).
Contacting Council
SES
The SES is the lead agency for cyclones, storms, and flooding.
For help during flooding or weather emergencies, sandbags and damage to property call the SES on 132 500.
Evacuation Centres
NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has opened three evacuation centres in the Byron Shire:
- Mullumbimby Ex Services Club
- Ocean Shores Country Club
- Cavanbah Centre (Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay)
If possible people should bring camp mattresses, blankets, pillows etc.
People can take pets to the evacuation centres where staff will do their best to accommodate them. Owners should take feed, leads, cages and bedding if available.
Currently DCJ is asking that no donations of bedding or other items are dropped off to evacuation centres.
Donations
People are asked not to drop or send donations into areas impacted by Cyclone Alfred because unrequested donations can hamper recovery efforts.
At the moment everyone, including the MDNC, is waiting to find out the impact of Cyclone Alfred.
People can however register to help with the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre’s Spontaneous (MDNC) Volunteers.
The MDNC is taking early volunteer registrations for food support, material aid, and counselling (only). https://nz.becollective.com/.../64dc5ee4a102c0d17.../profile
The MDNC is not currently taking registrations for clean-up activities.
Keep informed
The Byron Shire Emergency Dashboard, https://emergency.byron.nsw.gov.au/, has links to the following emergency services and information:
- SES
- Emergency broadcaster - ABC North Coast (94.5FM or 720AM)
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Live Traffic
- Essential Energy
- River heights
- Flood cameras