Living & Working in Byron

Location and Getting There
Byron Bay is located on the easternmost point in Australia, on the Far North Coast of NSW. It is approximately 2 hours drive south of the capital of Queensland, Brisbane, 1 ½ hours drive south of Surfers Paradise, and 10 hours drive north of Sydney.

Dual carriageway upgrades will soon be complete from Brisbane to Byron Bay on the north-south Pacific Highway. Plans are advanced for the upgrade of the highway south to Ballina. East-west regional highways open the Shire to hinterland destinations.

A range of private transport companies provide regional passengers services for the resident population as well as airport shuttle services for tourists. Flights are available from most capital cities in Australia to the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta and drive 45 minutes south to Byron Bay. Services are plentiful on QANTAS, Jetstar and Virgin Blue.
Alternatively fly to Ballina/Byron airport from Sydney on Virgin, Jetstar or Rex Air (flights daily) or direct flights from Melbourne with Jetstar(three times a week). The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa is approximately 25 minutes north of Ballina/Byron Airport. Rental cars are available at both Gold Coast and Ballina Airports.

Climate
Byron Bay enjoys a pleasant climate with warm summers and mild winters. The average summer maximum temperature is around 27 degrees celcius with a minimum of around 20 degrees. Winter temperatures average around 20 degrees (maximum) and 12 degrees (minimum). Winters tend to be drier and sunny making this a pleasant time to participate in outdoor activities.

Social infrastructure
General hospitals are located at Lismore and Tweed Heads with smaller hospitals located in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Ballina. Gold Coast and Brisbane emergency and specialist services are accessible. Private hospitals are located in Lismore and on the Gold Coast.

Southern Cross University and the North Coast Institute of TAFE offer a wide-ranging menu of courses through a range of campuses. Distance programs are available through the full range of institutions.

Byron is well-served by a range of public and private schools within the region.

Day care services are available at various locations through the Shire.

Internet usage
Roughly 66% of households have internet access of which 60% have broadband connection and the balance use dial-up connections. Wireless internet use is increasing in the Shire.

Statistical Information
Byron Shire Council
Census 2006 – Snapshot Byron Shire
Population
In the 2006 Census (held on 8th August 2006), there were 28,766 persons usually resident in Byron Shire: 14,146 residents (49.2%) were males and 14,620 (50.8%) were females.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Of the total population in Byron Shire 445 (1.5%) were Indigenous persons, compared with 2.3% Indigenous persons in Australia.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
74.7% of residents were born in Australia. (This compares to 82% in the 1996 census.)
Other common responses within Byron Shire were: England 5.1%, New Zealand 2.1%, Germany 1.1%, USA 1.1% and Netherlands 0.5%
English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 25031 (87%) residents of Byron Shire on census night. The most common languages other than English spoken at home were: German 1.1%, French 0.5%, Hebrew 0.4%, Italian 0.4% and Spanish 0.3%.

Households (2006)
Average household size = 2.4%
Households included
Family household = 7098 (59.4%)
Lone person household = 2853 (23.9%)
Group Household = 762 (6.4%)

Family Life
In the 2006 Census, there were 7,212 families in Byron Shire: 39.1% were couple families with children, 36.0% were couple families without children, 23.7% were one parent families and 1.3% were other families. 39.1% of residents aged 15 years and over were married, 37.5 never married, 17.8% separated or divorced and 5.5% widowed.

Age Groups
0 – 14 years 5586 (19.4%)
15 – 24 years 3322 (11.5%)
25 – 54 years 12859 (44.7%)
55 – 64 years 3516 (12.2%)
65 years and over 3483 (12.1%)
Total 28766
Median Age 41 (Australia 37)

Income
In Byron Shire the median weekly individual income for residents aged 15 years and over was $383, compared with $466 in Australia. The median weekly household income was $738, compared with $1027 in Australia. The median weekly family income was $932, compared with $1171 in Australia.

Home Ownership
In 2006 33.7% of occupied dwellings were fully owned, 29.8% were rented and 25.4% were being purchased.

Rent
In 2006 median weekly rent in Byron Shire was $250 compared to $190 in Australia.

Housing Loan Repayment
Median monthly housing loan repayment was $1,200 compared to Australia $1,300.