Council’s Draft Community Strategic Plan 2025 – have we got it right?

Published on 13 January 2025

Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, is reminding the community that now is the time to have a say on the Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035 (CSP) – Council’s 10-year guiding document which sets out the vision and objectives for the whole of Byron Shire.

The CSP is on extended public exhibition over two months until 9 February and people can share their views and thoughts via an online form on the website, over the phone, or in person at Council’s Customer Service Centre in Mullumbimby.

“This is one of Council’s most important documents and it must be reviewed after an election,” Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said.

“The draft plan incorporates views and feedback from the Byron Shire community collected via surveys, in-person pop up stalls around the Shire, and workshops. 

“As a result of this feedback, we’ve made some changes to ways in which we plan to achieve community objectives.  We’ve also made it clearer how the plan will be carried out by including more detail around who will be involved and how,” Mayor Nidaye said.

“Now is the time to have a look at the vision statement, have a look at the strategic objectives we’re proposing and tell us what you think – does it reflect what you want for the future of the Byron Shire?  Have we got it right?” she said. 

The five objectives for Byron Shire are: 

• Effective Leadership - We have effective decision making and community leadership that is open and informed. 
• Inclusive Community - We have an inclusive and proactive community where diversity is embraced and everyone is valued. 
• Nurtured Environment - We nurture and enhance the natural environment. 
• Ethical Growth - We will responsibly and resiliently navigate growth and change. 
• Connected Infrastructure - We have connected infrastructure, transport and facilities that are safe, accessible and reliable.

The CSP will feed into Council’s four-year delivery program and annual operational plan which are being developed for adoption by June this year.  More information is on Council’s website - Draft Community Strategic Plan 2035 - Byron Shire Council.