Application for temporary exemption: "La la land" Byron Bay

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has received an application under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act for a temporary exemption regarding "La La Land Byron Bay", a restaurant and bar located in upstairs premises at Byron Bay NSW.

The application seeks an exemption from those provisions of the DDA which would require disability access to the premises for a period of one year.

The application is stated to be made on the basis of financial constraints. The application notes that local government has granted a development application for change of use to a nightclub and that conditions on this approval will require provision of disability access.

The application (MS Word format) is attached together with correspondence from the applicants to the local access committee and the response from that committee.

Call for submissions

In accordance with its policy on exemption applications, the Commission seeks to give interested parties an opportunity to participate in the process of considering this application.

Accordingly, the Commission seeks submissions by 22 April 2005, preferably by email to disabdis@humanrights.gov.au .

Submissions may also be addressed by mail to Disability Rights Unit, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, GPO Box 5218, Sydney 1042.

To promote open public discussion and exchange of views, the Commission intends to make submissions publicly available by posting submissions made electronically on its Internet site. Requests for material to be treated as confidential should be clearly indicated.

David Mason

Director Disability Rights policy

11 March 2005