CHUCKLING IN THE FACE OF THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 39 #07 • July 24, 2024 • www.echo.net.au
Major land rezoning given Fletcher St Cottage needs you! the conditional tick Hans Lovejoy Council’s Residential Land Strategy 2041 has been conditionally approved by the Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), says Shannon Burt, Council’s Director Sustainable Environment and Economy. The controversial planning instrument was heavily criticised by residential groups during public exhibition, owing to a myriad of issues, primarily proposing floodprone lands, a lack of transparency and the poor process which surrounded it. Additionally, infrastructure capacity reviews for Mullumbimby completed by Council staff in July 2023 have not been released to the public. Past Council staff reports indicate infrastructure is in a poor condition. High Environmental Value (HEV) land was also included.
No consultation occurred Ms Burt says two areas that were submitted by Council were rejected by the DPHI. She said 1982 Coolamon Scenic Drive, just north of Mullumbimby, was rejected ‘as agency and community consultation has not occurred’. Described as Area 6, it contains approximately 5.4ha of developable land, and required a ‘flood and stormwater management study’. The land was deemed ‘outside the North Coast Regional Plan (NCRP) urban growth area’. The other proposed investigation of a parcel on Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay, was also rejected, ‘as this area is reliant on the completion of
Farewell Hannah Grace ▶ p3
Residential Land Strategy 2041 Q Urban development in
Byron Shire is slated at 6,695 new homes over 20 years Q Development will
mainly occur around Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and The Saddle Rd, located between Mullum and Bruns Q Up to 905 dwellings are
pegged for Bangalow Council’s Coastal Hazard Study to enable an informed decision about the impact of the 100-year coastal hazard line on this site’. Ms Burt said ‘The removal of the [two] sites does not fundamentally impact or affect the overall outcomes of the strategy, or its housing numbers or delivery’. In the lead up to adoption on December 14, 2023, Ms Burt increased the height limit to 11.5m on all proposed lands. After residents raised concerns, councillors voted against the blanket height increase.
Flood-prone land And during public exhibition, Cr Lyon and Ms Burt pushed to include a large area of flood-prone land to the east of Mullumbimby, which again came without public consultation. ▶ Continued on page 2
Amanda Peters and Damien Farrell are at the Book Room in Byron, where the Big Byron Sleepout is planned. Photo Jeff ‘Sleeping In Since 1986’ Dawson
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ith Byron’s Fletcher Street Cottage needing ongoing funds to continue the vital work they do with the homeless community, a sleepout fundraiser is planned on Saturday, August 17. Co-organiser, Mandy Nolan, says, ‘Just one week after national Homelessness Week, the Big Byron Sleepout gives caring community members an opportunity to experience a night on the street, address stigma and raise awareness and money for one of Byron Bay’s most vital homelessness support services’.
High homeless rate ‘The latest NSW Street Count data tells us that we have more rough sleepers in our community than the City of Sydney. Yet Fletcher
Mayoral candidates – Local what is their point of sporting difference? ▶ p7 news ▶ p15
MEMBERS NIGHTS! MONDAY = Steak Night TUESDAY = Parmi Night THURSDAY = Curry Night SATURDAY = Pizza Night SUNDAY = Roast Dinner Night SQUIDDLEYS KIDS ROOM
Open 7 nights from 5.30pm
Street Cottage is not fully funded and has to raise most of its operational budget with fundraisers and donations.
Frontline service ‘Fletcher Street Cottage is a frontline service that provides much-needed support to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness: food, showers, laundry, social work, support services and community. It’s a lifeline for our community’s most vulnerable. ‘To stay fully operational, the service needs $800,000 per annum to operate at four days a week, so we are committing to raising $70,000 at the Big Byron Sleepout. ‘The sleepout is an opportunity to experience what it is like for those doing it tough. It’s uncomfortable,
A taste of the good life ▶ p16
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Q What: Big Byron Sleepout Q When: Saturday, August 17 Q Where: Outside The Book
Room, on Fletcher Street, Byron Bay Q Why: Fundraiser for
homeless service provider, Fletcher St Cottage Q Register at:
bigbyronsleepout.com cold, there is no privacy, it’s vulnerable and it can feel, and be, unsafe. It’s hard to sleep and hard to maintain your mental health. ‘The CWA has kindly offered hot soup and beverages, as sleepers are gathered and welcomed to the inaugural event’, Ms Nolan added.
Byron’s industrious arts precinct ▶ p18
Seven days of entertainment and gigs ▶ p20
BISTRO
open 7 days for
LUNCH & DINNER
Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 02 6685 6878 • www.byronbayservicesclub.com.au