Byron Shire Council’s draft Byron Developer Contributions Plan 2012, which is back out on public exhibition this week, includes some significant changes to developer contributions. And council is looking for feedback on how the money should be spent.
Contributions for Byron Bay and Bangalow, Ocean Shores and Brunswick Heads have been reduced, while levies for Mullumbimby have been increased.
The planned levy of $15,025 for Byron Bay and Suffolk Park has been reduced to $11,925, while Bangalow contributions have gone down dramatically from $15,075 to $8,607. Ocean Shores is down from $7,442 to $6234 and Brunswick Heads from $10,888 to $8,093. Rural south reduces from $16,514 to $15,910 while rural north drops just $18 to $15,865.
Mullumbimby contributions jump up, however, from $14,966 to $16,097.
Council’s executive manager of planning, Ray Darney, said the amendments were primarily due to the newly revised Australian Bureau of Statistics data which had recently revised population growth rates.
‘The growth trend in the past five-year census period, was less than predicted, therefore leading to substantial cuts to projected roads infrastructure in the rural areas.
Developer contributions are levied on new developments to ensure new community facilities are provided for the growing populations.
Byron Shire’s resident population is forecast to grow by just under 7,000 between 2011 and 2026.
The new draft Byron Developer Contributions Plan 2012 is on public exhibition until Wednesday 3 October.
Once again, Council is seeking input on how developer contributions, also known as section 94 fees, should be spent.
Any developer contributions funding will be spent across all infrastructure areas including roads, traffic management, community services, recreation facilities, pedestrian and bikeways improvements.
Mr Darney said the draft plan sets out the future demands for services and facilities in Byron Shire and its planning catchments.
‘It also sets out the programs of works, anticipated costs, time frame and the allocation of the costs to the new incoming residents’ population.
‘Where appropriate, we’ve managed to include many of the submissions from the last public exhibition. Some additional items have been added, including the upgrade of the Ewingsdale Hall kitchen along with a barbecue shelter and playground, Suffolk Park Hall kitchen upgrade, sportsfield lighting and the Byron Bay mini-bypass.’
High growth catchments areas in Byron Shire are Byron Bay/Suffolk Park, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and Bangalow. Low growth catchment areas are rural North, rural South, Ocean Shores and South Golden Beach.
Mr Darney said low-growth areas have no new land-release areas and are reliant on dual occupancies and a limited number of new dwellings.
Please put funds towards upgrading Main Arm bridge as increased land development means many people and much more traffic on this dangerous bridge, that deaths have happened on this bridge in the past.