WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU MELONS, YOU MIGHT BE DYSLEXIC The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 37 #13 • September 7, 2022 • www.echo.net.au
lƖōōƖŔ ĈōƖć ĕƷĕƆ ćĶī ſĕŕşƆ
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Paul Bibby Two years ago, the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club was facing closure after a decade of financial decline. Now with its finances back on track, after a series of property sales, the club is planning a $2.36M upgrade that includes a new retrothemed squash-court cafe and children’s playground. The Development Application (DA) for the project will come before this week’s Byron Council meeting for assessment, with staff recommending approval, subject to a series of conditions. A key feature of the proposal is a new cafe featuring the club’s old squash court that has been sitting, disused, for decades. ‘Much of the original squash court will be showcased with the timber floor, all line-markings and even the original lights preserved,’ the project’s architects, Project
▶ Continued on page 3
Paul Bibby
Steampunk bubble performance duo, Aninas and Vivian, aka Beatrix Lush, weren’t daunted by the inclement weather at Saturday’s Sample Festival. While crowds were down at the Bangalow event, the many who did venture out were treated to loads of great food and entertainment. Photo Jeff Dawson
LşōĶĎëƷ ōĕƐƐĶŕī ſĕīƖōëƐĶşŕƆ şŕ ĕƶIJĶćĶƐĶşŕ Council’s amendments to NSW State regulations around shortterm rental accommodation (STRA) are now before the public until October 31. Areas that are flagged to be nonhosted holiday letting for 365 days include parts of Byron Bay, Suffolk Park and Brunswick Heads. In Byron Bay, Clarkes foreshore, Wategos, Belongil, and Shirley Street beachside are flagged. In Suffolk Park, most of the
Another ëǔşſĎëćōĕ housing site żſşżşƆĕĎ
beachfront blocks and the second block back from beach are identified, while in Brunswick Heads, all homes and commercial buildings east of the old highway are flagged. Across the rest of the Shire, the limit for non-hosted STRA will be a maximum of 90 days per year. Should the Planning Department agree to the proposal, Council staff say, ‘there will be a 12-month transition period for operators to honour existing bookings’.
West Byron Flood recovery roadmap developer starts missing, says former clearing land ▶ p6 MLC Cusack ▶ p12
Council staff argue that, ‘There is robust evidence to demonstrate the local housing market is experiencing market failure. Therefore, a more significant policy response is required. [Page 11 of the planning proposal]’. ‘The Byron LGA is estimated to have the highest concentration of STRA properties of any LGA in NSW’. As part of the process, the NSW Planning Department commissioned Urbis to undertake an
Iron Gates at Evans Head refused ▶ p17
economic impact assessment (EIA). In reply, Council sought an expert review of the EIA by Dr Peter Phibbs, which found ‘the authors have attempted to use the findings of the EIA as a decision-making tool’. From page 14 of the planning proposal, staff wrote, ‘An important issue raised in the Peer Review is that the EIA did not include much analysis of the positive economic effects of additional permanent rental housing, compared to existing levels’.
Get gnarley at the Surf Fest ▶ p22
Could an area of land opposite Habitat in Byron Bay become the site of the next Council-owned affordable housing development in Byron Bay? Byron Mayor, Michael Lyon, is proposing that the Council investigate the feasibility of building housing on part of a forested plot at 42 Wallam Place, which lies between Sunrise and the Byron Arts & Industry Estate. In a Notice of Motion to be debated at this week’s planning meeting, Cr Lyon says the Councilowned site could provide much needed housing for key workers and low-to-moderate income residents in the Shire. ‘Byron Shire is under enormous pressure to provide affordable housing for key workers and lower income residents,’ Cr Lyon said in the notice of motion. ‘In such a crisis, it is our responsibility to come up with solutions that utilise our community resources in the best way possible.’ The area of land in question has a B4 zoning, and was previously identified, alongside the Habitat site, as being appropriate for a bespoke village development. It is within walking distance of the Byron Solar Train, and is close to bus routes and cycle paths. ‘This site represents an excellent ▶ Continued on page 4
Soak up some arts and culture ▶ p27
Mur’bah is full of surprises ▶ p31
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