Byron – LGA
Health Needs Assessment 2025 – 2028
Byron local government area (LGA)
An overview of the Byron Local Government Area (LGA) health needs is provided. The Health Needs Assessment (HNA) process utilised a comprehensive, mixed-methods approach to collect and analyse data on the health and service needs of the North Coast region.
Key Information
- Byron LGA – Factsheet
- Key messages – Demographics and Social Determinants
- Key messages – Primary Healthcare in the region
- Explore more LGAs in the North Coast, NSW – View menu
Health Needs Assessment Byron LGA
Located in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, Byron Local Government Area (LGA) is on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung people. Byron LGA shares boundaries with 3 other LGAs Lismore, Tweed and Ballina.
The Byron LGA communities are diverse, embracing both traditional and alternative philosophies and lifestyles. Byron LGA is a well-known tourist destination (tourism is the main source of revenue for the LGA), which can have a significant effect on availability and accessibility of healthcare services. Byron LGA is one of the most socio-economically advantaged LGAs, however there are complex social issues (for example, people experiencing homelessness).
Download Byron HNA Factsheet
Footnote: throughout this document ‘survey’ refers to the 2024 Better Health Community survey undertaken as part of the Health Needs Assessment 2025-28 consultation process
Key messages
DEMOGRAPHICS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
- Population 36,126, 7% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 6% by 2031 (5% increase North Coast).
- Population density: 66 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
- 2% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
- Median age 43 (47 North Coast, 39 NSW) lowest across the North Coast LGAs
- 7% of population born in non-English speaking countries (1% North Coast, 19% NSW, 16% Australia).
- 19% aged 65 years or over, projected to increase by 22% by 2031 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).
- Just over 1 in 10 children were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.
- Fully immunised children rates:
- 67% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
- 66% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
- 73% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia).
Opportunity: Understand reasons for low immunisation rates and work with community and healthcare providers on improvement strategies.
- 47% of people aged 65 years and over had at least one long-term health condition.
- 2% of the population live with dementia (2% NSW and Australia). Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
- 50% of survey respondents reported the ageing population is one of the most serious health concerns in the community.
- 71% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges included a lack of services and difficulty in organising services.
Did you know: Care finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people who have no one else who can support them to learn about, apply for and set up support services. Learn more about Care Finders.
Opportunity: increase support and education regarding available services for people as they age and for ageing relatives or people in their care.
Healthy North Coast works in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service provides services to the Aboriginal communities across the LGA.
- 23% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Richmond Valley – Coastal SA3
Connection to country and culture is key for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples social and emotional wellbeing.
Programs that Aboriginal peoples identified to help keep Aboriginal communities healthy and strong:
- Art and cultural programs
- Yarning circles
- Women’s health initiatives
- Men’s health initiatives
- Exercise and fitness programs
Did you know: Cultural programs act as a protective factor for Aboriginal peoples social and emotional wellbeing.
- 41 per 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW).
- 3 per 1,000 people experienced domestic and family violence (NSW 4 per 1,000 people). The second lowest in the North Coast region.
- Median total weekly personal income $764 ($652 North Coast, NSW $813) Byron LGA has the highest average personal income in the North Coast.
- Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score 1,021, Australia 1000. Of the 12 LGAs in the North Coast region, Byron is placed as the highest rank, and is in the eighth decile nationally, indicating higher levels of socio-economic advantage.
- 6 in 1000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1000 in Australia).
- 5 in 1000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1000 in Australia).
Byron LGA has limited availability of affordable housing. Of the 121 rental properties available:
- no properties were affordable to singles or couples on minimum wage or receiving benefits or pensions.
Adequate access to affordable housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
- 27% single or lone households (25% NSW) and 9% group homes (4% NSW).
Following the 2022 floods, approximately 830 people remained in emergency and temporary accommodation sites. Further numbers of those displaced, homeless or experiencing flood-related housing insecurity are not currently known.
Social isolation can increase health risks.
Opportunity: Partner with community organisations and government departments to successfully plan, respond and recover from environmental disasters.
Key messages
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE NEEDS IN THE LGA
Risks
- Current smoking
- Byron LGA – 21%
- NSW – 12%
- Alcohol consumption (estimated number of persons aged 15 years and over who consumed 5 or more standard alcoholic drinks on any day in the last 12 months at least monthly).
- Byron LGA – 23%
- NSW – 18%
- Physical activity (aged 15 years and over, who did not meet 2014 physical activity guidelines).
- Byron LGA – 73%
- NSW – 77%
- Inadequate fruit intake
- Byron LGA – 52%
- NSW – 55%
- Overweight (not obese)
- Byron LGA – 32%
- NSW – 34%
- Obese
- Byron LGA – 30%
- NSW – 31%
When you were asked….
What kind of programs would you like more of, to keep you and your community healthy and strong?
- Exercise and fitness
- Health screening services
- Women’s health
- Art and cultural programs
- Community health education events
Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community?
- Mental health issues
- Ageing population
- Drug and alcohol use
- Lack of access to health care
- Lack of dental care
Just under 1 in every 10 people have 2 or more chronic conditions. The most common chronic conditions are:
o Anxiety
o Asthma
o Depression
Cancer screening participation:
- 37% National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NSW 40%)
- 48% BreastScreen Australia (NSW 50%)
- 56% National Cervical Screening Program (NSW 46%).
The most diagnosed cancers:
- Skin cancer
- Urogenital cancer
- Lymphohematopoietic cancer.
The cancer with the highest death rate is lymphohematopoietic cancer (29 per 100,000).
Opportunity: Promote cancer screening activities, partnered with local health promotion units and screening services to educate community on the importance of participating in cancer screening activities.
Shared experiences with mental health:
- 1 in 10 people needed to access a mental health service but couldn’t
- 6 in 10 people reported mental health as one of the most serious health concerns in the community
- 6 in 10 found it difficult to access a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.
- The top challenges to access mental health services:
- cost
- used all sessions of their mental health treatment plan
- lack of services.
- In Richmond Valley-Coastal SA3, which includes Byron LGA, rate of suicide deaths 17 per 100,000 population (11 per 100,000 population NSW).
- Over 1 in 5 people in the Northern NSW local health district (LHD) area, experience high or very high levels of psychological distress.
- Just over 1 in 10 residents in Richmond Valley-Coastal SA3, which includes Byron LGA, accessed GP mental health services (highest in the region).
Did you know: Medicare Mental Health Centres can help you access the local mental health services and supports that are right for you. No referral needed, access by phoning 1800 595 212 or visit the website.
- 20 general practices
- 70 general practitioners
- For every full time GP there are 667 patients
- 10 pharmacies
- 42 dental practitioners.
- Byron Central Hospital provides emergency care and a range of medical, nursing and surgical services.
- Byron Central Hospital Ambulatory Care Unit, provides various nursing, allied and educational health services. This is the LGA’s only community health centre.
- 60% of ED presentations are for lower urgency care (52 % North Coast, 48% NSW).
- After-hours GP attendances rate in Richmond Valley-Coastal SA3 is 5% (Australia 17%). Access to after-hours GP services remains a challenge and may contribute to higher ED admissions.
Opportunity: improve access and use of primary care alternatives.
Did you know: If you need medical advice and care, call Healthdirect for free, 24/7 on 1800 022 222 and speak to a registered nurse.
HNC commissions a range of community-based services to address local health needs. These include:
- Aboriginal health
- Alcohol & Other Drugs
- Mental Health
- Youth specific
- Integrated Team Care
View more information about the services available in Byron LGA.
About the North Coast Health Needs Assessment Map
The North Coast Local Government Area (LGA) Health Needs Assessment map identifies our 12 LGAs. The map can be used to navigate to specific LGA findings within our region.
The health needs assessment helps the Primary Health Network (PHN):
• Understand the health status and needs of local communities
• Identify existing services and where gaps may exist
Engage with community members and service providers
• The 2024 assessment informs decisions for the 2025–2028 planning cycle, guiding how HNC and partners commission services that respond to local needs.
To explore data findings, LGA factsheets, and key messages for a specific LGA, you can either click on the region in the hotspot map or scroll down to select your preferred LGA from the list.
Explore more: North Coast LGA Factsheets and information
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