Who wants Billinudgel to become a suburb? How about extending Mullumbimby to the west, north and east?
Expanding Ewingsdale and creating a suburb at Skinners Shoot are other suggestions for possible future residential areas in Council’s preliminary draft residential policy, out now for public comment until November 11.
According to the draft policy, large swathes of agricultural and rural land could potentially become (greenfield) suburbs by 2036, despite government requirements for housing numbers already being largely met by planned and potential infill developments.
The residential strategy is a key planning ‘instrument’ that sits below other planning documents that guide how and where development occurs.
Underpinning the residential policy are directives from the state and federal governments, particularly the state government’s Draft North Coast Regional Plan, which was released early this year and has not been heard of since.
That plan mainly identified roads and airports as desirable infrastructure and caused a stir owing to also identifying CSG for the north coast.
Another document that staff say ‘informs’ the preliminary draft residential policy is the December 2015 Byron Shire Housing Needs Report.
Authored by Brisbane-based Buckley Vann Town Planning Consultants, the 134-page report examines obstacles that inhibit housing growth and recommends ‘regulatory or policy change’, addressing ‘internal Council governance’ and ‘Council-led initiatives.’
Biodiversity hotspot
Retired planner John Sparks, who provided input for West Byron and the Byron Bay Masterplan, told The Echo that ‘Byron Shire is part of one of the most biodiverse areas of NSW with more species of plants and animals found here than in any other ecosystem in the state.’
‘The value of nature and what it provides to our way of living is not quantified or recognised in the current strategy and should be considered before any built environment is proposed.
‘Our existing statutory planning system is based on conflicting regulations which are forever challenged and manipulated to suit private agendas. You cannot regulate for good design. A strategic plan must consider all aspects of social, political, economic, environmental, sustainable, ethical and spiritual aspirations of the people who will live, work and play there, creating a positive strategy for growth with multiple benefits to the community it serves.’
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