A decision on the Roundhouse site at Ocean Shores emerged at Byron Shire Council’s meeting last Thursday. Residents of Ocean Shores put in one last effort to sway the council and at the eleventh hour were granted a six month reprieve to come up with a viable plan.

The staff recommendation on the agenda included Council endorsing the proposed plan for the Roundhouse subdivision, tenders being called for construction of the subdivision works and that Council resolve to sell sufficient lots as soon as possible to repay the loan of $985,000 and replenish the working funds by $65,000.

The public access period was lively, with several residents in the gallery carrying placards. Jerry Cook from the Roundhouse Action Group (RAG), who was the author of a recent plan for the site, spoke about the cultural and economic value of the group’s plans for the land and former councillor Jan Mangleson pleaded for time to come up with a better option than Council’s plan to subdivide.
A lone voice stood against the residents group.

Fast Buck$ spoke about what he saw as the contradictory and convoluted history of the site and questioned both the value of the site to the rest of the shire and the historical motives of some of those residents involved in the current push to save the land.

‘The people of the Byron Shire don’t owe Ocean Shores anything,’ he said.
Mr Buck$ believes that given the history of the Roundhouse, the site has already cost Council enough.
‘I don’t think Ocean Shores residents should come to Council with their hands out,’ he said.

Cr Simon Richardson later moved that Council defer any decisions regarding the proposed plan for the Roundhouse subdivision for six months and allow for an onsite community open day.

He also moved that  Council receive from the Roundhouse Action Group a business plan outlining alternative proposals for the site that clearly outlines the level of support within the Ocean Shores community for the plan and the community fundraising possibilities and strategies to assist the funding of buildings and infrastructure on the site.

The motion just made it past the post 5-4, Crs Richardson, Woods, Cameron, Staples and Heeson in favour, Crs Barham, Tabart, Morrissey and Tucker against.
Jan Mangleson, Frank Mills and several residents met at the site on Saturday morning to celebrate the mini win and to continue plans to move forward.
Though overjoyed with the reprieve, the group realises there is still a lot to be done. ‘We certainly have our work cut out for us,’ Mrs Mangleson said.