Byron Bay Sample Food Festival
This year’s Sample Food Festival is taking place at Bangalow Showground on Saturday, 6th September 2025. It marks the 12th annual celebration of this fantastic festival, which is shaping up to be an
Sandhills Wetlands: Byron Bay’s new nature haven
Byron Bay’s long-awaited Sandhills Wetlands restoration has officially opened, marking the end of one of the Shire’s largest and most complex environmental projects.
What was once a 1.8-hectare site destroyed by sand mining back in the 1960s is now a network of pathways through wetlands, just minutes from Clarkes Beach, The Pass and Cape Byron Lighthouse.
The completed works have been widely praised for bringing nature back into a central part of town that’s become degraded over recent decades.
Byron Shire Council described the reopening as a milestone in environmental care. At the same time, locals have embraced the wetlands as a new “nature haven” — with a network of new paths that link the centre of town with the tennis courts, Jarjumirr skatepark, and Walgun Cape Byron Lighthouse.
A positive impact on the local environment
The project has received strong support across all levels of government, with leaders highlighting both its environmental impact and value to the wider community.
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot has highlighted the regional benefit saying that the restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands will have a positive impact on the local environment and wildlife, reducing the impact of flooding, and improving water quality at Clarkes Beach.
Mayor Sarah Ndiaye has also spoken openly about the outcome and has shared her excitement about birdlife flourishing.
For many residents, the return of wildlife is proof the investment is paying off.
Environmental and cultural significance
The Arakwal community approached Byron Shire Council several years ago with the idea of restoring the original wetlands.
The project was shaped in close consultation with Traditional Custodians, ensuring the wetlands reflect cultural knowledge and community values.
NSW Minister Janelle Saffin mentioned during the opening ceremony that the wetlands stand as a powerful example of what can be achieved when we listen, respect and work together.
Thousands of native plants have been planted, drainage improved, and three interconnected wetlands now slow down and filter stormwater before it reaches the beaches and creeks downstream.
The improved water quality is expected to benefit:
- Clarkes Beach, where a polluted lagoon often forms
- Belongil Creek
- Cumbebin Swamp
A project that sparks pride
The Sandhills Wetlands project is widely recognised as a significant step in environmental and cultural restoration, turning a once-damaged site into a thriving public space with real ecological purpose.
It’s a place that now brings people together — an area where families can stroll, cyclists can pass through, and wildlife can return.
The transformation has created a renewed sense of community pride, demonstrating what can be achieved when Traditional Custodians, Council and the wider community work towards a shared vision.
With healthier waterways, revitalised habitats and a new way for locals and visitors to get closer to nature, Sandhills stands as a fantastic example of positive change in the heart of Byron Bay — a place that will only continue to flourish in the years ahead.
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